EAST CENTRAL POETICO AND DOME. 









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The height of Dome, from base line to the top of the Statue of Freedom, is 287 ft. 

5)i in. Capitol Hill rises 90 ft. above tide water. 

The greatest exterior diameter of the Dome above the Portico, is 135 ft. 5 in. 



INTERIOR OF DOME, boWING ITS CONSTRUCTION. 




SECTiOi«THRou»'< w 



b er ti.^.OMri i bi. 



Distance from floor of Hotuiula to top of balustrade beneath the painting, 152 ft. Sin. 

Distance from floor to centre of painting, 180 ft. .'5 in. 

Number of steps from the Crypt to interior of Tholus, 364. 



TUK 



ROTUNDA AND DOME 



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U. S , Capitol 



-jB-sr S-. T> . -w -2- E a? n . 



AUTHOR OF '•HIBTORY OF THK liimAKY OF CONfiUEPS," ** THK FEDERAL 
CITY.' ETC.. ETC. 



For ^ale in the Papitol. 



WASHINGTON, D. C. 
GIBPON BROTH KRS, PRINTERS. 






Entered, according to Act cf Congress, iu the year 1860, b\' 

GIBSON BROTHERS, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Colnmhi; 



x* 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE 



To o;ive accurate information relative to the buildino; of 
the Rotunda and Dome of the United States Capitol, and 
of the history illustrated by the works of art with which 
thev are adorned, is the object of the following pages. 

Very little of what might be termed " art criticism '' 
has l^een attempted. A man of ordinary observation 
deems liimsclf capable of forming an opinion with regard 
to the excellency or demerit of a work of art presented 
to his view, and lie is certainly better satisfied with liis 
own judgment than with the opinion of even an acknow- 
ledged connoisseur. 

It is hoped the information presented in the text will • 
aid in forming an intelligent appreciation of what has 
been essayed by the various artists whom the nation has 
seen proper to employ in embollishing this portion of our 
great national edifice. s. d. v>'. 



CONTENTS. 



PAINTINGS IN THE ROTUNDA. 

General appearance of the Rotunda — Vanderlyn's painting of the Landing of 
Columbus — Powell's picture of The Discovery of the Mississippi by De Soto — 
The Baptism of Pocahontas, by Chapman — The Embarcation of the Pilgrims 
at Delft-Haven, by Weir Page 115 

THE TRUMBULL SERIES OF PAINTINGS. 

Trumbull's four pictures in the Rotunda: — first, The Declaration of Independ- 
ence; second, The Surrender of Burgoyne; third, The Surrender of Lord Corn- 
wallis at Yorktown ; fourth, The Resignation of Washington to Congress as 
Commander-in-Chief of the army Page 137 

RELIEVOS IN THE ROTUNDA 

The alto relievos of the Rotunda : — Preservation of Captain Smith by Pocahon- 
tas — Landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock — Penn's treaty with the In- 
dians — Conflict between Daniel Boone and the Indians. Basso relievos with 
heads of Columbus, Cabot, Sir Walter Raleigh, and La Salle Page 1G8 

THE DOME AND APEX. 

Allegorical painting by Brumidi, within the Canopy of the Rotunda — Outer and 
inside shells of the Dome — Signor C. Brumidi — the lighting of the Rotunda at 
night — the Lantern, or "Tholus" — Apex of the Dome — the model of Craw- 
ford's Statue of Freedom Page 182 

THE CRYPT AND TOMB. 

The ('rypt — Tomb prepared underneath the centre of the Capitol for the remains 
of Washington^Congressional correspondence, and action on the subject — 
speeches of Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John Qiiincy Adams, etc. — action of 
the State of Virginia — Greenough's statue of Washington Page lf)7 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

Plaster Copy of Houden's Washington — Will of Kosciuszko — Bustof Kosciuszko — 
of Pulaski — The Dying Tecumseh — Rolherrael's Painting of the Christian Mar- 
tyrs in the Coli.^eum — Statue of Alexander Hamilton, by Stone — Lincoln memo- 
rial-stone sent from Rome — Mosaic Portrait of Lincoln — Daily oscillation of the 
. Dome — Whispering gallery underneath the Canopy — Cost of lighting the Ciij)- 
itol — Dimensions and cost of the Capitol — Changes proposed to be made in 
centie portion of the Capitol building Pa^ie 207 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. * 

Preceding Text. No. 1. Photograph of exterior view of East Central Portico 
and Dome, showing their elevation, from a drawing in possession of the Archi- 
tect of the Capitol ; and 

Preceding Text. No. 2. Photograph of interior of Dome, showing its construc- 
tion. This is also from a drawing in possession of the Architect. 

Outline drawing and Key to Vanderlyn's painting of The Landing of Colum- 
bus Page 114 

Outline drawing and Key to Powell's painting of The Discovery of the Missis- 
sippi by De Soto Page 121 

Outline drawing and Key to Chapman's picture of The Baptism of Pocahon- 
tas Page 128 

Outline drawing and Key to Wier's painting of The Embarcation of the Pilgrims 
at Delft- Haven Page 133 

Outline drawing and Key to Trumbull's picture of The Declaration of Independ- 
ence Page 141 

Outline drawing and Key to Trumbull's picture of The Surrender of Burgoyne, 
at Saratoga, Oct. 17, 1777 Page 146 

Outline drawing and Key to Trumbull's picture of the Surrender of Lord Corn- 
wallis, at Yorktown, Va., Oct. 19, 1781 Page 152 

Outline drawing and Key to Trumbull's picture of General Washington resigning 
his commission to Congress, at Annapolis, Dec. 23, 1783 Page 161 

Alto relievo over west door of Rotunda — Preservation of Captain Smith by Poca- 
hontas Page 169 

Alto relievo over north door of Rotunda — William Penn's treaty with In- 
dians Page 172 

Alto relievo over south door of Rotumla — Daniel Boone and Indians Page 173 

Alto relievo over east door of Rotunda — Landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth 
Rock Page 176 

Photograph Apotheosis of Washington, painted within the Canopy of the Dome 
of the Capitol, by C. Brumidi Page 185 

Oulline sketch of Greenough's statue of Washington Page 204 

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EOTUNDA AND DOME 



PAINTINGS IN THE ROTUNDA. 

OENEUAL APPEARANCE OP THE ROTUNDA — VANDERLYN'S PAINTING OP THE 
LANDING OP COLUMBUS — POWELL'S DISCO^^!RY OF THE MISSISSIPPI BY DE 

SOTO THE BAPTISM OP POCAHONTAS BY CHAPMAN THE EMBARCATION OF 

THE PILGRIMS AT DELFT HA MSN BY WEIR. 

The Rotunda was tho latest built portion of the ori'i-inal 
Capitol. When the British captured the city of Washington, 
Aug. 2-i, 1814, and set fire to the public buildings, the North ^ 
and South wings were all of the Capitol that had then been 
erected. A wooden scaflolding connected the two "wino-s," 
and made each easy of access from the other. 

Hallet, the architect first employed to superintend the erec- 
tion of the Capitol, was not in favor of the building of the 
Rotunda. He had, himself, presented to the Commissioners, a 
" Plan for the Capitol," a distinctive feature of which was, to 
leave out the grand central Portico of " Doctor Thornton's 
Plan " (the one which had been mainly adopted), and have in- 
.stead "a recess, or court, built upon three sides." Hallet was 
succeeded by Mr. G. Hadlield and Mr. James Hoban, who finish- 
ed the North wing. The charge of the work was then given to 
Mr. Henry B. Latrobe, who directed the building of the South 
wing, and finally prepared the Halls*for the use of Congress. 

Mr. Latrobe also was the architect under whom the Capitol, 
phenix-like, began to rise again in prouder beauty than before 
from the ashes of its conflagration. He, however, resigned his 
situation in Dec, 1817. Mr. Charles Bulfinch, appointed by- 
President Monroe, was his successor. Mr. Bulfinch, to a certain 

extent, carried out the plans of Mr. Latrobe, and it was. under 

116 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

his superintendency, the Rotunda. :vith its first low Dome, was 
'^Tected. 

The foundation of the Rotunchi, or main central building 
of the Capitol, was laid March 2, 1818. The original walls of 
the North and South wings had been permitted to remain, and 
are still standing — being of freestone the fire did not materially 
injure them. The Capitol, including the Rotunda, was regarded 
as completed in 1827. 

The fire of Dec. 24, 1851, which destroyed the Hall of the 
Library of Congress, induced in it? repair changes — the new 
Extensions of the Capitol having also been previously deter- 
mined upon — which finally resulted in the removal of the low 
Dome and substituting in its stead the magnificent structure 
which now surmounts the- Capitol. The present Dome was de- 
signed and erected by Thomas U. Walter, Esq. It is of iron, 
and consequently fire-proof. The aggregate weight of iron 
used from the beginning to its completion is 8,909,200 pounds. 
Janes, Beebe, & Co., of New York City, furnished the castings 
of this wonderful specimen of architectural iron work. Its 
npex was crowned by the Statue of Freedom in Dec, 1863. 

The outer colonnade of the Dome rests upon 72 iron brack- 
ets let into brick foundations. The greatest exterior diameter 
of Dome is lo5 feet 5 inches. Its height above base line on east 
front to the top of the Statue of Freedom is 287 feet 5| inches, 
and above tide water 377 feet 3|- inches. The height of base line 
on Capitol Hill is within a fraction of 90 feet above tide water. 
"^Tiie cost of the centre building of the original Capitol, from 
its foundation to 1827, was $957,617 35. The cost of the new 
Dome to the present date, 1869, has been about $1,000,000. 

The Rotunda is 97 feet in diameter, 300 feet in circumference, 
and its height, from the floor to where the Dome closes in at tlie 
base of the lantern, is 180 feet, 3 inches. 

Nearly every square foot within range of ordinary vision 
of this splendid apartment is filled with specimens of art - the 
Avork of pencil and chisel — that illustrate incidents of our 
national life. 

ilti 



T li K F E 1) E ]l A T. CITY. 

The chcamber, in its circuit, is divided into panels by 12 fluted 
stone pilasters, [flat columns in the wall], 80 feet high, support- 
ing an entablature and cornic? ornamented with wreaths of olive. 
In the larger of these panels, between the pilasters, at a small 
elevation from the floor, are the eight grand national pictures 
ordered at various times b}'^ Congress, and costing from $8,000 
to $15,000 each. 

There are, also, in the larger panels above the pictures, carved 
flowers and leaves in festoons and wreaths, within four of which 
are sculptured medallion portraits of Columbus, Cabot, Sir 
Walter Ealeigh, and La Salle. 

Over the four doors of the Rotunda are alto relievos in 
stone illustrative of interesting events in American historj'-. 

The floor of the chamber is paved with Seneca stone, and is 
firmly supported from beneath by 40 stone columns. 

THE LANDING OF COLUMBUS PAINTED BY 
JOHN V A N D E R L Y N . 

This picture occupies the first panel nortli (jf the east door 
of the Rotunda. It is 18 feet by 12 — the ani brtn size of the 
series. The coloring is brilliant, and the liie-size figures look 
as if they were breathing men, with motion only suspended, 
and they the actors in a tableau vivant. 

As the starting point of American History it is the earliest 
scene in point of time of them all. Tlie whole country is 
familiar with the grouping of this picture, as it is the one which 
is engraved and printed on the back of the fivv; dolhir note of 
our National Bank Currency. 

Irving, in his "Voyages of Columbus," thus narrates the 
event, with its surroundings, that the g,3nius of Vanderlyn li;;s 
made to glow and live again, on canvas. 

"The morning dawned that was to give Columbus the Civs'. 
view of the New World. As objects gradually became visible 
he beheld before him a new and beautiful island several league-; 
in extent, of great freshness and verdure, and covered witii 

117 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

trees like ii continual orchard. Though every thing appeared 
in the wild luxurianc(3 (jt' untamed nature, yet the island was 
evidently populous, for the iidiabitants vvere seen issuing from 
the woods, and runniuL? from all parts to the shore, where thev 
•Stood gazing at the ships. They were all perfectly naked, and 
from their attitudes and gestures appeared to be lost in asti^n- 
ishment. Columbus made signal for the ships to cast anchor, 
and for the boats to be manned and armed. lie entered his own 
boat richly attired in scarlet, antl bearing the royal stan lard ; 
whilst Martin Alonzo Pinzon, and Vincent Yauez his brother, 
put off in company in their boats, each bearing the banner of 
the enterprise emblazoned with a green cross, having on each 
side the letters F and Y. surmounted by crowns, the initials of 
the Castilian monarchs Fernando and Ysabel. 

" As they approaclied the shores, they were refreshed by the 
sight of the ample forests, which in those climates have ex- 
traorelinary beauty of vegetation. They beheld fruits of tempt- 
ing hue, but unknown kind, growing among the trees which 
overhung the shores. The purity and suavity of the atmos- 
phere, the chrystal transparency of the seas which bathe these 
islands, give them a wonderful beauty, and must have bad their 
effect upon tlie susceptible feelings of Columbus. No sooner 
did he land, than he threw himself upon his knees, kissed the 
earth, and returned thanks to God with tears of joy. His ex- 
ample was followed by the rest, whose hearts indeed overflowed 
with the same feelings of gratitude. 

'"Columbus then rising drew his sword, displayed the royal 
standard, and assembling round him the two captains, with 
Kodrigo de Escobeda, notary of the armament, Eodrigo San- 
chez, [the royal inspector,] and the rest who had landed 
he took solemn possession in the name of the Castilian sover- 
eigns, giving the island the name oi San Salvador. It was on 
the morning of Friday 12th of October, 1492, that this memor 
able event took place." 

This last paragraph comprises the action.of the picture. 

Columbus stands prominently forward, a sword in his 

116 



THE FEDERAL CITY, 

riglit hand, its top forming a cross ; his left supports the royal 
standard, that floats in heavy folds above him. Next him, on 
his right, stands Escobedo, and near him with hat and plume, 
Eodrigo Sanchez, Inspector of the Armament, but between the 
two appears the face of a friar who carries a crucifix. Beyond, 
in a suppliant attitude, is one of the crew who had been a 
mutineer. 

Two of the Pinzons, each with a banner, the elder standing 
nearer to Columbus, are marked figures of the picture. A 
cabin boy is kneeling, in an act of devotion, near them. At 
the extreme right of the group is a Spaniard handsomely 
dressed, with an old fashioned arquebuse slung over his 
shoulder. This is probably Diego de Arana, chief alguazil of 
the expedition. [A card professing to be a key to the picture, 
once hanging underneath it, stated that this figure is Alonza de 
Ojeda ; but, as he sailed for the first time with Columbus on 
his second voyage, of course it is a mistake.] 

On the left of Columbus is a soldier whose attention is drawn 
from the scene by the appearance of the natives half hid in the 
forest ; and a sailor is kneeling, in an attitude of veneration of 
the Admiral. 

In the distance are seen the three vessels, the Santa Maria, 
the Plata, and the Nina ; and, nearer, the landing of the hilari- 
ous and joyful crew. Two of the men are contending for 
glittering particles in the sand. 

The picture was painted in 1846, and cost $12,000. 

John Vanderlyx, the artist, was born in Kingston, Ulster 
County, New York, in 1776 ; and died there, Sept. 23, 1852. 

At the age of sixteen he removed to New York City, and 
received lessons in painting from Gilbert Stuart. The celebra- 
ted Aaron Burr was a valuable and early friend of the young 
artist, and through his kind help he was enabled to visit Paris, 
in 1706, for the purpose of instruction. He returned ^to his 
native laud in 1801, but in 1803 revisited Europe, where he 
remained until 1815. 

When Burr was a wandering fugitive, and in Paris at times 

ii'j 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

SO poor, he had not money to buy a bundle of fagots to keep 
himself warm, Vanderlyn, still struggling hard in his profession, 
enjoying far more reputation than money, shared with him his 
slender purse, and helped him all he could. 

One of Vanderlyn's famous pictures is the " Murder of Jane 
McCrea by the Indians;" ho also painted " Marius sitting 
among the ruins of Carthage." This latter picture received the 
gold medal at the Paris Exhibition of 1808, and was favorably 
noticed by the Emperor Napoleon. This success placed him in 
the foremost rank of his profession. 

lie painted portraits of Madison, Monroe, Clinton, and other 
distinguiohed Americans, I have before stated that the full 
length portrait of Washington, in the Ilall of the Ilouse of 
Representatives, was painted by him. 

The engraved portraits of Aaron Burr and his daughter, in 
" Parton's Life," and that appear also in Davis's Memoir, of him, 
are copied from original pictures by Vanderlyn. It seems a 
strange recompensing of events that one of the kind-hearted 
acts in the life of this misguided man — the taking by the hand 
a friendless boy of genius and helping him up the steep ascents 
of eminence — should have resulted in giving to aft^r genera- 
tions, as familiar household pictures, likenesses of himself and 
his adored daughter Theodosia. 

Powell's painting of the discovery 

OF the MISSISSIPPI. 

This painting is the second in succession of event and occu- 
pies the first panel south of the east door of the Rotunda. 

The scene is a view of the Mississippi river stretching as far 
as the eye can reach, with islands in sight, and dotted with 
canoes that are filled with Indians, 

De Soto, on horseback, attended by a train of followers — 
cavaliers, banner-bearers, soldiers, a confessor, and a swarthy 
Moorish servant — is approaching the river. On the bank, a 
company of stalwart soldiers are planting a Cross, while a priest, 
with open Book, is reading prayers, as the wood is about to be 

i::0 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

inserted into the hole prepared for it. Another ecclesiastic is 
wavinij a censer, 

A little to the left are wigwams, ■ and a group of Indians, 
male and female, some of whom appear to regard the Spanlai'ds 
as su[)ernatural beings, and are oifering to De Soto propitiatory 
gilts. 

In front of the middle of the picture is a camp chest, with 
arms, helmets, breast-plates, and other implements of war, 
thrown together. From these, stretches another long group of 
strong travel worn men. A cannon is being dragged up, and 
near it a veteran campaigner is seen dressing his wounded leg. 

The fine engraving on the back of the ten dollar notes of the 
national currency is an admirable copy of Powell's painting of 
the Discovery of the Mississippi. 

The details of the picture have been made the subject of 
careful study by the artist. The cannon was copied from one 
of the same model used by Cortez, one of which is in the col- 
lection at the Washington Navy Yard, having been brought by 
General Scott from Mexico, obtained during his campaign in 
that country. The various armor and dresses are also copied 
from historical specimens and drawings. The horse upon 
which De Soto sits is a portrait of Abdel-Kader's battle horse, 
a full blooded Arabian, as was the one which bore De Soto 
during his perilous journey. The battle steed of Abdel-Kader 
was for a long time kept in the Imperial stables at St. Cloud, 
where Mr. Powell had frequent opportunities to see and sketch 
it, as his picture was painted in Paris. 

The story of De Soto is one of the most romantic of the 
many romances of history. He was the companion of Pizarro 
in his Peruvian campaign, and probably the moving spirit that 
conducted to its issue the iniquitous conquest of that country. 
It is but just to observe, however, that he often quarelled with 
Pizarro, and frequently attempted to deter him from the com- 
mission of attrocities. The perfidious execution of the Inea 
excited his just anger. 

Wilmer, in his Life of De Soto, says, "At that time it was 

IL'3 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

well understood in Spain that De Soto was the real hero of the 
Peruvion war ; for the imbecile character of Pizarro was noto- 
rious among his contemporaries. The time for his apotheosis 
had not yet arrived." 

De Soto returned to Spain with not less than half a million 
of dollars. He made a splendid appearance at the court of the 
emperor, Charles Y., and the flattering reception given him is 
a matter of historical celebrity. As a reward for services ren- 
dered the crown, the title of marquis was graciously bestowed, 
and — a further proof of royal favor — a considerable sum of 
money borrowed of him. He married Isabella de Bovadilla, a 
beautiful lady to whom he had been long attached, but whose 
father, Don Pedro de Avila, had opposed his suit until he died. 

De Soto's court life was expensive, and he could not but per- 
ceive his fortune dwindle away : at all events, he resolved again 
to embark on the sea of adventure. About this time, 1536, 
Florida — a name applied Avithout limit to tlie country extend- 
ing north from the gulf of Mexico, and west from the shores 
of the Atlantic — was spoken of as containing within its limits 
an El Dorado fairer and richer than had yet rewarded sordid 
discovery. Allured by these reports De Soto applied to Charles 
for permission to undertake the conquest of this territory for 
him at his own expense. This was gladly acceeded to ; and 
the Emperor was exceedingly lavish in his bestowal of titles 
upon the brave Captain. He was made Governor of the island 
of Cuba, and Adelantado or President of Florida. 

De Soto arrived in Cuba, 1588, witli a brilliant armament, 
and, after some delay, sailed for Florida, leaving Donna Isabella 
governor of the island. He landed his forces at Tampa Bay 
May 1539, consisting of 1,000 Spaniards, 350 horses, and a 
large number of cattle and swine for settlement. Twelve 
priests, eight assistants, and four monks accompanied him ; on 
Sundays and holidays he had an altar erected and mass said. 

But disappointment now tracked his footsteps like a spectre. 
The Indians were fierce, and hostile ; many of his associates 
proved villainous and treacherous ; the hardships all had to 

124 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

endure were many and great ; at times, the very elements ap- 
peared combined against them. "The adventurers liowevcr 
struggled onward, setting every danger at defiance, and sur- 
mounting every obstacle which nature and savage enmity 
could oppose to their progress.'^'^^At length they came to a town 
called Chisca, May 1541, which was seated on the margin of the 
largest river the Spaniards had seen since they landed in Flor- 
ida. On this account they called it the Rio Grande ; and well 
it deserved the name, for it was the father of American waters, 
the mighty Mississippi." 

^: * * * * * 

" While encamped on the west bank of the Mississippi river, 
De Soto was requested by the Indian chiefs to pray for rain to 
his gods, it being a time of drought ; and he caused a huge 
cross to be made of the largest pine tree, so large that 100 men 
could not lift it. This cross was raised on the highest elevation 
overlooking the waters of the Mississippi and St. Francis rivers. 
A procession, composed of the army and Indians, was formed, 
led by priests and friars, chanting the Litany around the cross, 
and then all knelt down in front and offered up prayers." 

De Soto did not live to return to Cuba. Grave suspicions are 
even entertained that he was murdered. His body at first was 
buried, then disinterred, and, eventually, was sunk at night in 
the Mississippi river. 



Although this picture is the second of the series in point of 
event, it was the last one of all painted. A commission had 
been given to the lamented Inman, to paint a picture for this 
panel, and he had selected for his subject " The Emigration of 
Daniel Boone to Kentucky." Mr. Inman was paid a large pro- 
portion of the contracted price, but ill health, disappointments, 
and, at hist, death, prevented him from fulfilling his obligation,* 

It was then, by a unanimous vote of the Senate, and 198 out 
of 212 votes in the House, Mr. Powell was selected from up- 
wards of GO competitors to ornament this panel of the Rotunda. 

* .Air. Inman received $6,000. He only made a sketch of his design of the picture. 

125 



T H >■; FED K 11 A L CITY. 

Mr. William H. Powell was born in the city of New York ; 
when seven years old his parents removed to Cincinnati. In 
1885, though only a boy, his picture of Rhoderic Dhu attracted 
some attention, and Avas followed by several other pictures of 
merit. These secured him the regard of many eminent citizens 
of the Queen City of the West, among whom was Nicholas 
L<mgworth the millionaire. Mr. Longworth kindly rendered 
him pecuniary help, and advised him to procure the best in- 
struction it was possible to obtain ; he also famished him with 
a letter of introduction to Mr. Sully of Philadelphia. This 
latter gentleman advised young Powell to place himself under 
the instruction of Mr. Henry Inman in New York ; and accord- 
ingly, in 1837, he entered that artist's studio. 

In March 1838, he exhibited two portraits at the National 
Academy of Design, which were favorably noticed, and lead to 
considerable employment as a portrait painter. In 1844, he 
went to Europe and visited Paris, Florence, and Eome. In the 
latter city he remained two-years-and-a-half, devoting himself to 
the practice of his art. 

After his return Mr. Powell exhibited his picture of " Colum- 
bus before the Council of Salamanca" in the library of the 
Capitol at Washington. It received great commendation, and 
induced to his obtaining the order to paint the remaining 
Rotunda picture. In 1848, he again visited Europe, and before 
his return painted that picture. It bears the date of 1853, 
and for it he received $15,000. 

Since the " De Soto " was placed in the Rotunda, Mr. Powell 
has executed several other pictures: "The Battle of Lake 
Erie " painted by order of the State of Ohio, and placed in the 
State Capitol at Columbia ; also, full length portraits of AVash- 
ington Irving, and General Robert Anderson of Fort Sumj^ter 
renown. lie is now engaged on another painting for the Capitol 
at Washington, for which he is to receive $25,000. 

Mr. Powell at present resides in New York. 



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THE FEDERAL CITY. 

BAPTISM OF POCAHONTAS AT JAMESTOWN VA., 

1613. 

The panel next the picture just described, is occupied by the 
painting of "The Baptism of Pocahontas" by John Gadsby 
Chapman, and cost $10,000. 

Pocahontas is said to have been the first convert to Protes- 
tant Christianity among the Indian tribes of North America. 
Her name originally was Matoaka which signifies " a stream- 
let betv/een two hills," but among her Indian friends, on 
account of her remarkable gracefulness and swiftness of foot, 
she was called by a name signifying Snoio Feather. At her 
baptism she was called Eebecca. Captain Smith represents 
Pocahontas as possessing great beauty, " though her count- 
enance was thoughtfully sad." 

The baptism took place prior to her marriage with Rolfe, 
and it is supposed in the little church then erected at James- 
town, the ruin of which is still pointed out. 

Mr. Watterston thus grapliically describes this picture : 

" Pocahontas is kneeling on the steps before the rude baptis- 
mal font, her hands clasped in an attitude of deep devotion. 
Her dress is pure white, with a snowy mantle of swans' skin, 
tipped with plumage, just falling from her shoulders. Her hair 
flows negligently over her neck and back, and her features and 
complexion are those of the Indian, though her face is not so 
beautiful as it is represented to have been in lif6. 

" The moment is one of deep solemnity and interest. The 
eyes of all seem to be fixed upon the young maiden in the act 
of renouncing the idols of Indian worship, and devoting her- 
self to the service of God. The Indian figures are well deleni- 
ated and finely painted ; they seem to be gazing on the scene 
with various feelings. 

" The sister of Pocahontas is seated on the floor, with her 
child clinging to her, and looking on with intense interest and 
curiosity, while Opechankanough, also seated in the Indian 
fashion, scowls at the ceremony with deep malignity and 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

ferocity. Rolfe, afterwards husband of Pocahontas, stands 
behind her. 

" Nantaquaas, a granddooking Indian, the brother of Poca- 
hontas, stands near Rolfe. Mr. Chapman has given what may 
be considered a true representation of him, as Captain Smith 
regarded this young chief as the hcau ideal of manly beaiity. 
His head is turned from the ceremony. 

" The minister whose appearance is imposing and solemn, 
has one hand on the font and the other extended in prayer. 
Sir Thomas Dale, in the martial costume of the age, stands on 
the right of the Itev. Alex. Whitaker, and his standard-bearer 
and page are near him. Other figures, male and female, civil 
and military, are stationed in different parts of the church, 
while an open window affords a partial view of the country. 

" The artist says, ' the chapel has been painted after one now 
remaining, and built about the same time the oue in which the 
ceremony took place was enacted.' 

''The drapery in the picture is exquisitely painted; and the 
contrast of colors and the variety of attitude given to the 
figures deserve high praise." 

The engraving which backs the twenty dollar notes of the 
national currency, is a copy of this picture of the Baptism of 
Pocahontas. 



Mr. Chapman, the artist, was born in Alexandria, Virginia. 
His talent for sketching and painting was developed at an early 
age, and through the liberality of a friend he was enabled to 
visit Rome to study and improve himself in art. Upon his 
return to America, besides painting this picture, he was 
engaged in the illustrating of " Harper's Bible," " Schmidt's 
Tales," and " Whittier's Songs of Labor." 

In 1848, lie revisited Rome, and has resided there mos^.h 
since that period. [1869]. 



130 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

THE EMBARCATION OF THE PILGRIMS FROM 
DELFT-HAVEN, IN HOLLAND. 

This picture occupies tlie panel east of the north door of the 
Rotunda, and the scene it illustrates occurred 21st July 1620. 

A number of Puritan families, about the commencement of 
the seventeenth century, driven from England by persecution, 
took refuge in Holland. Here they resided eleven years, wor- 
shiping God according to their ideas of right. Some of them, 
then, after mature deliberation, resolved to emigrate to the 
New World, hoping the remainder would soon follow. 

The party embarked at Delft-Haven, on board " The 
Speedwell," a small vessel of sixty tons, proceeded in it to 
Southampton, and from thence sailed in company with the 
" Mayflower," to America. 

The narrative continues : — 

" The vessel proving leaky, they were obliged to put into 
Dartmouth, where after repairing, they again started, but were 
soon obliged to put back into Plymouth. There they aban- 
doned the Speedwell as unseaworthy, and they were received 
on board the Mayflower. 

"The difficulties which the Speedwell encountered, were 
owing to the treachery of Captain Reynolds, Avho was hired by 
the Dutch merchants either to frustrate the voyage, or carry 
them to some place remote from their own settlements. This 
deceit, aided by a storm, caused the subsequent settlement at 
Plymouth, the destination of the colony having been Hudson's 
River. They landed at Plymouth rock on the 20th of Decem- 
ber, 1620. 

" Their pastor, Mr. Robinson, did not accompany them, but 
remained with the greater number of his flock in Holland, in- 
tending to come, yet ever unable to accomplish his desire. He 
is described as ' a man of learned, polished, and modest spirit ; 
pious and studious of the truth ; largely accomplished with 
gifts and qualifications suitable to a shepherd over this flock of 
Christ.' He died at Ley den, 1625, in the 50th year of his age. 

131 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

His widow and children came over to Plymouth colony, and ' 
his son, Isaac, lived to the age of 90, who is mentioned by 
Prince, as 'a venerable man.' " 

In "Morton's New England Memorial," is the following 
quaint account, which forms the historical text of the painting : 

" The next day, the ivind being fair, they [the Pilgrims] went 
on board, and their friends with them, where, truly doleful was 
the sight of that sad and mournful parting, to hear what sighs, 
and sobs, and prayers, did sound amongst them ; what tears did 
gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each other's 
hearts, that sundry of the Dutch strangers that stood on the 
quay as spectators, could not refrain from tears : yet, comforta- 
ble and sweet it was, to see such lively and true expressions of 
dear and unfeigned love. But the tide, (which stays for no 
man,) calling them away, that were thus loth to depart, their 
reverend pastor falling down on his knees, and they all with 
him, with watery cheeks, commended them with most fervent 
prayers unto the Lord and his blessing ; and then, with mutual 
embraces, and many tears, they took their leave, one of another 
which proved the last leave of many of theija." 

Those prominently represented in the picture are, the pastor, 
Mr. Robinson, who is leading in prayer ; a little distance from 
him is Elder William Brewster, kneeling, with an open Bible 
before him, near whom, on his right, are his wife and sick 
child. Governor Carver, with Mr. William Bradford and wife 
kneel between Brewster and Robinson, while behind the latter 
are Mrs. Carver and child, and a boy. 

Miles Standish, with his beautiful wife Rose, her arm resting 
on his shoulder, kneel near them ; fervid piety, and hopeful 
trust in God, glow upon their faces. Standing above them is 
Captain Reynolds talking to a sailor. 

On the other side of the canvas are Mr. and Mrs, Winslow 
and a boy, and Mr. and Mrs. White. Above them a rainbow 
spans the sky. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, with a boy in charge of 
Mr. Winslow, occupy the space above where Mr. Brewster is 
kneeling. 

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THE FEDERAL CITY. 

On ihe back of the fifty dollar notes of the national currency 
is a fine engraving of Weir's painting of the " Embarcation of 
the Pilgrims." 

In speaking of this picture the artist himself says : — 

" In selecting this subject for one of the national pictures, I 
was influenced by the high moral character of the scene, and 
the great events which grew out of the principles imparted by 
the actors in it to their descendants, and which finally led to 
that separation from the dominion of the old world which 
made us an independent people. It was also desirable that 
there should be at least one picture in our National Hall, 
whose subject should commemorate an event connected with 
the history of our Eastern States; since they were first to 
grapple in that struggle for liberty, the achievement of which, 
is our glory and boast. 

" In depicting a scene so momentous in our early history, it 
has been my endeavor to preserve truth ; the character of each 
individual is drawn in accordance with his acts, and the cos- 
tume and accessaries are in keeping with the time and place ; 
among the latter is the screw, which was afterwards transferred 
to the Mayflower, and was the probable means of preserving 
the ship — and the fluke of the anchor, — indicating the bow 
of the vessel, as well as being the emblem of hope, — the bow 
of promise, — and upon the sail is written ' God luitli us.'' " 

Mr. Weir received from government the sum of $10,000 for 
his picture. 



Eobert Walter Weir, an American artist, was born in New 
Rochelle, State of New York, June 16, 1803. 

At the age of 19, he relinquished commercial pursuits in 
which he had been engaged, and devoted himself to art. lie 
visited Italy, where he lived three years, and, on his return, 
practised his profession in the city of New York. 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

In 1834 he succeeded Charles R. Leslie, artist, as instructor 
of drawing in the Academy of West Point, a position which 
he still retains. [1868.] 

Among his paintings of a national character, that have ac- 
quired repute, are " Red Jacket," " The Landing of Hendrik 
Hudson," " Columbus before the Council of Salamanca," and 
" The Indian Captives." This last is in the possession of the 
Boston Athenieum. 

The two pictures of " The Baptism of Pocahontas " and '' The 
Embarcation of the Pilgrims " appeal forcibly to the religious 
sentiment, and consequently elicit attention, and for the most 
part approval and admiration. 

In Chapman's picture of the Baptism of Pocahontas there 
is, however, a blunder so glaring that it is much to be regretted 
the artist has not been induced to correct it. If the spectator 
will fix his eyes upon the figure of Rolfe, and then walk slowly 
by the painting, he will find, to his surprise, that it is impossible 
to determine which is the right or the left leg of the figure — 
as they seem to change one to the other as he passes to and fro. 

In the picture of " The Embarcation of the Pilgrims " the 
grouping has a marvellous air .of theatrical effect without im- 
parting to the looker-on a sense of the solemnity of the occa- 
sion — in this respect differing widely from the feeling awakened 
in gazing upon Vanderlyn's picture of the Landing of Colum- 
bus. In his excessive devotion to the Rembrandt school of art, 
Mr. Wier has painted several figures so much in shadow that 
it is hard to believe the scene could have so appeared. No 
arrangement of ship canvas covering, out of doors, where a 
rainbow is in full view, could possibly have produced, in any 
instance, so dark an effect. 

136 



THE TRUMBULL SERIES OF PAINTINGS. 



TRUMBDLL a FOUR PICTOEES IN THE ROTUNDA — FIRST, THE DECLARATION OF 
INDEPENDENCE — SECOND, THE SURRENDER OF BURGOYNE — THIRD, THE SURRENDER 
OF LORD CORNWALLIS AT TORKTOWN — FOURTH, THE RESIGNATION OF WASHINGTON 
TO CONGRESS AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY. 



The following narrative, and description of the four pictures 
in the Rotunda by Trumbull, illustrative of scenes in our 
Revolutionary History, is, for the most part, in the very lan- 
guage of that artist. The material is taken from a pamphlet 
published by him in 1827, now out of print. 

Colonel Trumbull was one of the aids-de-camp, of General 
Washington in the first year of the Revolution, [1775,] and in 
the succeeding year, 1776, was appointed Deputy Adjutant 
General of the Northern Department, under General Gates. He 
retired from the service in the spring of 1777, because, to use 
his own words, he " was disgusted by the irregular promotion 
of some junior officers." 

Having a natural taste for drawing, he took the resolution of 
cultivating that talent, with the hope of thus binding his name 
to the great events of the time, by becoming the graphic 
historiographer of them and of his early comrades. With 
such an object in view, he devoted himself to the study of the 
art of painting, first in America, and afterwards in Europe ; 
and in the year 1786, produced in London his first historical 
work, the Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker 
Hill. 

John Adams, afterwards President of the United States, was 
at that time minister to London, and Thomas Jefferson held the 
same rank in Paris: the Colonel was known to both these 
eminent men, and this his first patriotic work of art, was seen 
and appreciated by them. He communicated to botli his iii- 

137 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

tention to paint a series of pictures in commemoration of the 
principal events of the Ecvolution, preserving, as far as possi- 
ble, faithful portraits of those who had been conspicuous actors 
in the various scenes, as well as accurate details of the arms, 
dress, and manners of the time. Mr. Adams and Mr. Jeficrson 
encouraged the idea, and with their approbation, a number of 
subjects were selected, as uniting picturesque aptitude, for the 
purpose, with the deep and important interest of the events ; 
among which were the incidents illustrated by the four pictures 
now in the Rotunda. 

The original paintings were of a sniall size, suited to the use 
of the engraver, and several of the compositions were immedi- 
ately studied and prepared for the introduction of the intended 
portraits, so that before the two great men named returned to 
the United States from their respective embassies, their 
portraits were painted, (one in London, the other in Paris,) in 
the small picture of the Declaration of Independence, from 
which the one in the Rotunda was copied. 

In the autumn of 1789, Colonel Trumbull returned to 
America to pursue his purpose. He found President Washing- 
ton, and many other distinguished characters, in New York, 
then the seat of government, and having procured their port- 
raits in the several compositions for which they were intended, 
he travelled through various parts of the country, from New 
Hampshire to South Carolina, in search of others; and, in 
1794, he nearly completed the collection of portraits, views of 
places, and all the various materials necessary to the execu- 
tion of his plan. 

During this period his work attracted much attention, and it 
was proposed to employ him to execute the entire series for 
the nation. This proposal failed to be carried into efi'ect, be- 
cause the nation then possessed no building proper to receive 
such decorations, and doubts existed whether Congress possess- 
ed the right of appropriating the public money to such 
purposes. 

However, in the year 1816, Congress was pleased to pass a 

138 



TUE FEDERAL CITY. 

resolution authoriziug bira to execute the four pictures which 
are now to be described, just thirty years after he had painted 
the Battle of Bunker Hill. 

These paintings, consequeutlv, are not to be regarded as 
having their origin in that resolution. They already had long 
existed, and little more was required than to give to the small 
prototypes larger and more conspicuous dimensions. Had not 
the preparatory steps been already taken, the work would 
have been impracticable, for even then most of the actors were 
dead ; scenes, dresses, arms, and manners, were all changed, 
and it was impossible for human art to have produced any 
other than pictures of the imagination, destitute of that authen- 
ticity and truth which give to these works their peculiar value. 

It is thought no American can contemplate these scenes of 
national glory, thus brought distinctly before the eye in all the 
semblance of reality, without feeling a strong impulse to 
emulate in some laudable effort the virtues of his forefathers. 

THE PAINTING OF THE DECLARATION 
OF INDEPENDENCE. 

This is the earliest event illustrated by Colonel Trumbull, 
and the grouping, by means of the Key accompanying this 
description, will be without doubt readily understood. 

The artist says : — 

" The room is copied from that in which Congress held its 
sessions at the time, such as it was before the spirit of innova- 
tion laid unhallowed hands upon it, and its venerable walls 
were violated by modern improvement. The liberty has also 
been taken of embellishing the back ground, by suspending 
upon the wall, military flags and trophies, that had been 
captured from the enemy at St. John's, Chambly, etc., and such 
as probably were actually placed in the Hall, 

" In fact, nothing has been neglected to reader this a faithful 
memorial of the great event ; and the artist has only to regret 
that his powers were so inadequate to the solemn grandeur of 

his subject." 

I3y 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

HAMES OP THOSE, OF WHOM PORTRAITg ARE PRESERVED IN THE PAINTING OF THB 
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

No. No. 

1. George Wythe, Virginia. 25. George Clymer, Pennsylvania. 

2. William Whipple, New Hampshire. 26. William Hooper, North Carolina. 

3. Josiah Bartlett, New Hampshire. 27. Joseph Hewes, North Carolina. 

4. Benjamin Harrison, Virginia. 28. James Wilson, Pennsylvania. 

5. Thomas Lynch, South Carolina. 29. Francis Hopkinson, New Jersey. 

6. Richard Henry Lee, Virginia. 30. John Adams, Massachusetts. 

7. Samuel Adams, Massachusetts. 31. Roger Sherman, Connecticut. 

8. George Clinton, New York. 32. Robert R. Livingston, New York. 

9. William Paca, .Maryland. 33. Thomas Jefferson, Virginia. 

10. Samuel Chase, Maryland. 34. Benjamin Franklin, Pennsylvania. 

11. Lewis Morris, New York. 35. Richard Stockton, New Jersey. 

12. William Floyd, New York. 36. Francis Lewis, New York. 

13. Arthur Middleton, South Carolina, 37. John Witherspoon, New Jersey. 

14. Thomas Hayward, South Carolina, 38. Samuel Huntington, Connecticut. 

15. Charles Carroll, Maryland. 39. William Williams, Connecticut. 

16. George Walton, Georgia. 40. Oliver Wolcott, Connecticut. 

17. Robert Morris, Pennsylvania. 41. John Hancock, Massachusetts, Presi- 

18. Thomas Willing, Pennsylvania. dent of Congress. 

19. Benjamin Rush, Pennsylvania. 42. Charles Thompson, Pennsylvania, 

20. Elbridge Gerry, Massachusetts. 43. George Read, Delaware. 

21. Robert Treat Payne, Massachusetts. 44. John Dickinson, Delaware. 

22. Abraham Clark, New Jersey. 45. Edward Rutledge, South Carolina, 

23. Stephen Hopkins, Rhode Island. 46. Thomas McKean, Pennsylvania. 

24. William Ellery, Rhode Island. 47. Philip Livingston, New York. 

" In order to give some variety to the composition it was 
found necessary to depart from the usual practice of reporting 
an act, and the artist has made the whole committee of five 
advance to the table of the President, to make their Report, in- 
stead of having the chairman to rise in his place for the 
purpose : the silence and solemnity of the scene, ojffered such 
real difficulties to a picturesque and agreeable composition, as 
to justify, in his opinion, this departure from custom and per- 
haps fact. Silence and solemnity he thought essential to the 
dignity of the subject ; yet for this he has been criticised by 
some, who did not consider that levity or inattention would 
have been unworthy on such an occasion, and in such an 
assembly. The dresses are faithfully copied from the costume 
of the time, and have also been criticised as too courtly, by 

140 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

those who forget that the present fashion of pantaloons and 
trowsers was then unknown, except among sailors, and have 
succeeded to the sans culottism of France. 

"To preserve the resemblance of the men who were the 
authors of this memorable act, was an essential object of this 
painting. Important difficulties presented themselves at the 
outset, for although only ton years had elapsed since the date 
of the event, it was already difficult to ascertain who were the 
individuals to be represented. 1st. Should he consider the fact 
of being actually present in the room on the 4th of July, in- 
dispensable ? 2nd. Should he admit those only who were in 
favor of, and reject those who were opposed to, the act? 3. 
Where a person was dead, and no authentic portrait could be 
obtained should he admit ideal heads ? 

" These were questions on which Mr. Adams and Air. Jeffer- 
son were consulted, and they concurred in the advice, that with 
regard to the characters to be introduced, the signatures of the 
original act, (which is still preserved,) ought to be the general 
guide. That portraits ought, however, to be admitted, of those 
who were opposed to, and of course did not sign, as well as of 
those who voted in favor of the Declaration, and did sign it, 
particularly John Dickinson of Delaware, author of the Farm- 
er's Letters, who was the most eloquent and powerful opposer 
of the measure ; not indeed of its principle, but of the fitness 
of the act at that time, which he considered premature. And 
they particularly recommended, that wherever it was possible, 
the artist should obtain his portrait from the living person ; 
that where any one was dead, he should be careful to copy the 
finest portrait that could be obtained ; but that in case of death, 
where no portrait could be obtained, (and there were many 
such instances, for, anterior to the Revolution, the arts had 
been very little attended to except in one or two of the cities,) 
he should by no means admit any ideal representation, lest, it 
being known that some such were to be found in the painting, 
a doubt of the truth of others should be excited in the minds 

143 



T H K FEDERAL CITY. 

of posterity ; and that, in short, absolute authenticity should 
be attempted, as, far as it could be attained. 

" The artist was governed by this advice, and spared neither 
labor nor expense in obtaining his portraits from the living 
men. Yet, after all this care, he has been accused of having 
excluded, (as it was called,) some persons who were dead, and 
of whom no portrait could be found ; so impossible is it to 
give universal satisfaction." 

This picture occupies the panel west of the south door of 
the Eotunda. An engraving of it is on the back of the one 
hundred dollar notes of the national currency, 



Thanks to the artist ! and thanks to the far sighted wisdom 
of the statesmen, whose advice and assistance enabled him to 
give to the American people this picture of "' the nation's birth," 
and the subsequent ones of its military triumphs, and final vic- 
tory, as evidenced by the resignation of the commander-in-chief 
of its army, after peace had transpired. 

The picture of the Declaration of Independence is grand, and 
its details impressive.' The gazer seems introduced into the 
presence of the great patriotic signers, and is permitted, as it 
were, to witness the Act, which gave us freedom, and placed us 
a people among nations. It is fitting the event should be 
commemorated as the first of Trumbull's Revolutionary series 
of paintings in the Rotunda. 

The Committee of Five, Jefferson, John Adams, Franklin, 
Sherman, and R. R. Livingston, stand near the table at which 
Hancock, the President, is sitting, whose calm resolute look, 
seems indicative of the man, who, when he signed the perilous 
document in his large legible hand writing, said : " There ! 
John Bull can read my name without spectacles, and may 
now double his reward of £500 for my head. That is my 
defiance." 



144 



o uj - 



HOC 
O UJ < 






THE FEDERAL CITY. 

PAINTING OF THE SURRENDER OF 
GENERAL BURGOYNE. 

PORTRAITS OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS ARE INTRODUCED, THE NUMBERS REFER TO 
THE OUTLINE HEADS IN THE KEY. 

No. 

1. Major Litbgow, of Massachusetts. 

2. Colonel Cilly, New Hampshire. 

3. General Starks, New IJarapshire. 

4. Captain Seymour, Connecticut, of Sheldon's horse. 

5. Major Hull, Massachusetts. 

6. Colonel Greaton, Massachusetts. 
1. Major Dearborn, New Hampshire. 

8. Colonel Scamraell, New Hampshire. 

9. Colonel Lewis, Quarter Master General, New York. 

10. Major General Phillips, British. 

11. Lieutenant General Burgoyne, British. 

12. General Baron Reidesel, German. 

13. Colonel Wilkinson, Deputy Adjutant General, American. 

14. General Gates. 

15. Colonel Prescott, Massachusetts Volunteer. 

16. Colonel Morgan, Virginia Riflemen. 

17. Brigadier General Rufus Putnam, Jlassachusetts. 

18. Lieutenant Colonel John Brooks, late Governor of Massachusetts. 

19. Reverend Mr. Hitchcock, Chaplain, Rhode Island. 

20. Major Robert Troup, Aid-de-Camp, New York. 

21. Major Haskell, Massachusetts. 

22. Major Armstrong, Aid-de-Camp, now General. 

23. Major General Philip Schuyler, Albany. 

24. Brigadier General Glover, Massachusetts. 

25. Brigadier General Whipple, New Hampshire Militia. 

26. Major Matthew Clarkson, Aid-de-Camp, New York. 

27. Major Ebcnezer Stevens, .Massachusetts, Commander of Artillery. 

Colonel Trumbull tells us : — 

"On the 8tli of October, 1777, General Burgoyne at last 
found his situation so critical, that he abandoned his camp, and 
commenced a retreat towards Canada ; but finding bad roads, 
— broken bridges — and hostile parties posted at every dispu- 
table point, and hovering around him on all sides, he halted. 
and took post at Saratoga, where, on the 17th, his army sur- 
rendered to Major General Gates. 

147 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

'• The painting represents General Burgoyne, attended by 
General Phillips, and followed by other officers, arriving near 
the marque of General Gates. 

"General Gates has advanced *a few steps from the entrance, 
to meet his prisoner, who, with General Phillips, has dismount- 
ed, and is in the act of offering his sword, which General Gates 
declines to receive, and invites them to enter, and partake of 
refreshments. A number of the principal officers of the 
American Army are assembled near their General. [These 
the Key will sufficiently indicate.] 

" The confluence of Fish Creek and the North River, where 
the British left their arms, is shown in the distance ; and the 
troops are indistinctly seen crossing the creek, and the mead- 
ows, under the direction of Colonel Lewis, and advancing 
towards the foreground : they disappear behind the wood, and 
again appear, the grenadiers without arms or accoutrements. 
Officers on horseback, Am.erican, British, and German, precede 
the head of the column, and form an interesting cavalcade, 
following the two dismounted generals, and connecting the 
different parts of the picture." 

By this surrender nearly 6,000 men, with all their artillery, 
arms, stores, and camp furniture, fell into the hands of our 
patriot army The British as a consequence abandoned Ticon- 
deroga, and retired to Canada ; and Clinton, who had been 
ravaging the banks of the Hudson, retired to New York. 

The event sent a thrill of patriotic joy throughout the land, 
and made the hearts of our struggling forefathers feel light in 
the anticipation of a final triumph. The following are the 
terms upon which this surrender was made. 

ARTICLES OF CONVENTION BETWEEN LIEUTENANT GENERAL 
BURGOYNE AND MAJOR GENERAL GATES. 

I. 
" The troops under Lieuteaant General Burgoyne, to march out of their camp, 
with the hoQOurs of war, and the artillery of the entrenchments, to the verge of 
the river where the old fort stood, where the arms and artillery are to be left ; the 
arms to be piled by word of command from their own officers. 

148 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

II. 

" A free passage to be granted to the array under Lieutenant General Buv;:oyn(' 
to Great Britain, on condition of not serving again in North America, during the 
present contest ; and the port of Boston is assigned for the entry of transports to 
receive the troops, whenever General Howe shall so order. 

III. 
"Should an}- cartel take place, by which the army under General Burgoyne, 
or any part of it, ma/ be exchanged, the foregoing article to be void, as far as 
such exchange shall be made. 

IV. 
"The army under Lieutenant General Burgoyne, to march to Massachusetts 
Bay, the easiest, most expeditious, and convenient route ; and to be quartered in, 
near, or as convenient as possible to Boston, that the march of the troops may not 
be delayed, when transports arrive to receive them. 

V. 
" The troops to be supplied on their march, and during their being in quarters, 
with provisions, by General Gates's orders, at the same rate of rations as the 
troops of his own army ; and, if possible, the oflBcers' horses and cattle are to be 
supplied with forage at the usual rates. 

VI. 
"All officers to retain their carriages, batt-horses, and other cattle ; and no bag- 
gage to be molested or searched : Lieutenant General Burgoyne giving his honor 
that there are no public stores secreted therein. Major General Gates will of 
course take the necessary measures for the due performance of this article. Should 
any carriages be wanted during the march for the transportation of officers' bag- 
gage, they are, if possible, to be supplied by the country, at the usual rates. 

VII. 
"Upon the march, and during the time the army shall remain in quarters in 
Massachusetts Bay, the officers are not, as far as circumstances will admit, to be 
separated from their men. The officers are to be quartered according to rank, 
and are not to be hindered from assembling their men for roll call, and other ne- 
cessary purposes of regularity. 

vm. 

" All corps whatever, of General Bu-goyne's army, whether composed of sailors, 
batteaumen, artificers, drivers, independent companies, and followers of the army, 
of whatever country, shall be included, in the fullest sense, and utmost extent of 
the above articles, and comprehended in every respect as British subjects. 

149 



THE F E D E 11 A L CITY. 

IX. 

" All Canadians, and persons belonging to the Canadian establishment, con- 
sisting of sailors, batteiumen, artificers, drivers, independent companies, and any 
other followers of the army, who come under no particular description, are to be 
permitted to return there ; they are to be conducted immediately by the shortest 
route to the first British post on Lake George, are to be supplied with provisions 
in the same manner as the other troops, and are to be bound by the same condition 
of not serving during the present contest in North America. ■ 

X. 

" Passports to be immediately granted for three officers, not exceeding the rank 
of captains, who shall be appointed by Lieutenant General Burgoyne, to carry 
despatches to Sir William Howe, Sir Guy Carleton, and to Great Britain, by the 
way of New York : and Major General Gates engages the public fiiith, that these 
despatches shall not be opened. These officers are to set out immediately after re- 
ceiving their despatches, and are to travel the shortest route, and in the most 
expeditious manner. 

XI. 
"During the stay of the troops in Massachusetts Bay, the officers arc to be 
admitted on parole, and are to be allowed to wear their side arms. 

xn. 

''Should the army under Lieutenant General Burgoyne find it necessary to 
send for their clothing and other baggage to Canada, they are to be permitted to 
do it in the most convenient manner, and the necessary passports granted for 
that purpose. 

XIII. 

" These articles are to be mutually signed and exchanged to-morrow morning 
at 9 o'clock, and the troops under Lieutenant General Burgoyne are to march out 
of their intreuchments at three o'clock in the afternoon. 

(Signed) " HORATIO GATES, Major Ocneral. 

(Signed) " J. BURGOYNE, Lieutenant General. 

Saratoga, Oct. \6tk, 17 T 7." 

"To prevent anj' doubts that might arise from Lieutenant General Burgoyne's 

Dame not being mentioned in the above treaty, Major General Gates hereby 

declares, that he is understood to be comprehended in it, as fully as if his name 

had been specifically mentioned." 

-'HORATIO GATES." 

The picture occupies the panel next the Declarationr of Inde- 
pendence south of the west door of the Rotunda. An engrav- 
ing of it is on the back of the five hundred dollar notes of the 
national currency. 

150 



o 



u. « 





THE FEDERAL CITY 



THE PAINTING OF THE SURRENDER OF 

LORD CORNWALLIS, AT YORKTOWN. 

OCTOBER 19, 1 781. 



THE PORTRAITS OP THE FRENCH OFFICERS WERE OBTAINED IN PARIS IN 1787, AND 

WERE PAINTED FROM THE LIVING MEN IN THE HOUSE OF MR. JEFERSON, 

THEN MINISTER TO FRANCE FROM THE UNITED STATES. 

No. 

1. Count Deuxponts, Colonel of French Infantry. 

2. Duke de Laval Montmorency, Colonel of French Infantry. 

3. Count Custine, Colonel of French Infantry. 

4. Duke de Lauzun, Colonel of Cavalry, French. 

5. General Choizy. 

6. Viscount Viomenil. 

*i. Marquis de St. Simon. 

8. Count Fersen, Aid-de-Camp of Count Rochambeau. 

9. Count Charles Damas, Aid-de-Camp of Count Rochambeau, 

10. Marquis Chastellux. 

11. Baron Viomenil. 

12. Count de Barras, Admiral. 

13. Count de Grasse, Admiral. 

14. Count Rochambeau, General en Chef des Francais. 

15. General Lincoln. 

16. Colonel Ebenezer Stevens, of the American Artillery. 

17. General Washington, Commander in Chief. 

18. Thomas Nelson, Governor of Virginia. 

19. Marquis La Fayette. 

20. Baron Steuben. 

21. Colonel Cobb, Aid-de-Camp to General Washington. 

22. Colonel Trumbull, Secretary to General Washington. 

23. Major General James Clinton, New York. 

24. General Gist, Maryland. 

25. General Anthony Wayne, Pennsylvania. 

26. General Hand, Adjutant General, Pennsylvania. 

27. General Peter Muhlenberg, Pennsylvanin. 

28. Major General Henry Knox, Commander of Artillery. 

29. Lieutenant Colonel E. IIuntington,ActingAid-de-CampofGen. Lincoln. 

30. Colonel Timothy Pickering, Quarter Master General. 

31. Colonel Alexander Hamilton, Commanding Light Infantry. 

32. Colonel John Laurens, of South Carolina. 

33. Colonel Walter Stuart, of Philadelphia. 

34. Colonel Nicholas Fish, of New York. 

153 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

The artist's narrative continues : — 

" The successes of Lord Cornwallis in the Southern States, 
during the years 1780, and 1781; the capture of Charleston, 
the victory of Camden, and minor other successes, by which 
almost every part of Georgia, and South and North Carolina, 
had been successively occupied by the British troops, had 
seriously threatened the ruin of American Independence. 

"In 1781, Lord Cornwallis, regarding his presence as no 
longer essential to the complete reduction of the three South- 
ern States, marched with the principal part of his force into 
Virginia, where for some time his success was almost equally 
rapid and complete ; but the admirable combined movement 
of General Washington, and our French allies, from the North, 
and of the Count de Grasse, with the fleet and army of France, 
from the West Indies, turned the scale, and rendered it neces- 
sary for him to shut himself up in Yorktown, and attempt to 
defend himself there, until he could receive relief from New 
York. This hope, however, failed him, and on the 19th of 
October 1781, he surrendered his forces to the combined armies 
of America and France. 

"The honor of marching out of the town, with colors flying, 
etc., etc., which had been refused to General Lincoln, when 
during the preceding campaign he surrendered Charleston, was 
now refused to Lord Cornwallis ; — the terms of the capitula- 
tion dictated at Charleston were now insisted on, and General 
Lincoln was appointed to superintend the submission of the 
British at Yorktown, in the same manner as that of the Amer- 
ican troops had been conducted about eighteen months before." 

Irving in his " Life of Washington," says : — 

"An eye witness has given us a graphic description of the 
ceremony. ' At about 12 o'clock the combined army was 
drawn up in two lines more than a mile in length, the Amer- 
icans on the right side of the road, the French on the left. 
Washington, mounted on a noble steed, and attended by his 
staff, was in front of the former ; the Count de Kochambeau 
and his suite, of the latter. The French troops, in complete 

154 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

uniform, and well equipped, made a brilliant appearance, and 
had marched to the ground with a band of music playing, 
which was a novelty in the American service. The American 
troops, but part in uniform, and all in garments much the worse 
for wear, yet had a spirited soldier-like air, and were not the 
worse in the eyes of their countrymen for bearing the marks 
of hard service and great privations. The concourse of spec- 
tators from the country seemed equal in number to the military, 
yet silence and order prevailed. 

" ' About two o'clock the garrison sallied forth ; and passed 
through with shouldered arms, slow and solemn step, colors 
cased, and drums beating a British march. They were all well 
clad, having been furnished with new suits prior to the capitu- 
lation. They were lead by General O'Hara, who, approaching 
General Washington, took off his hat and apologized for the 
non-appearance of Lord Cornwallis, on account of indisposition. 
Washington received him with dignified courtesy, but pointed 
him to Major General Lincoln as the oflBcer who was to receive 
the submission of the garrison. By him they were conducted 
into a field where they were to grouiiii their arras. In passing 
through the line formed by the allied army, their march was 
careless and irregular, and their aspect sullen ; the order to 
" ground arms," was given b}" their platoon officers in a tone of 
deep chagrin, and many of the soldiers threw down their muskets 
with a violence sufficient to break them. This irregularity was 
checked by General Lincoln ; yet it was excusable in brave 
men in their unfortunate predicament. This ceremony over, 
they were conducted back to Yorktown, to remain under guard 
until removed to their places of destination.' " [Thacher, '" 3-16.] 

The nilmber of prisoners was 7,073, and of these 5,950 were 
rank and file. During the siege the garrison sustained a loss, 
in killed, wounded, and missing, of 552. The allied army of 
America and France lost in killed about 300. The combined 
army was estimated at 16,000, of whom 7,000 were French, 
5,500 Continentals, and 3,500 militia. 

"The painting represents the moment when the principal 



* James Thaclier, M. D., a surgeon in the American Revolutionary army. 
155 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

officers of the British army, conducted by General Lincoln, are 
passing the two groups of American and French generals, and 
entering between the two lines of the victors ; by this means 
the principal officers of the three nations are brouglit near 
together, so as to admit of distinct portraits. 

"In the centre of the painting, in the distance, are scon the 
entrance of the town, with the captured troops marching out, 
following their officers: and also, a distant glimpse, of York 
Eiver, and the entrance to the Chesapeak Bay, as seen from the 
spot." 

COPY OF THE ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION. 

Settled between his Excellency General Washington, Commander in Chief of 
the combined forces of America and France — hi^ Excellenc}- the Count de 
Rochambeau, Lieutenant General of the armies of the King of France, Great 
Cross of the rojal and military order of St. Louis, commanding the auxiliary 
troops of his Most Christian Majesty in America — and his Excellency the Count 
de Grasse, Lieutenant General of the naval armies of his Most Christian Majesty, 
Commander of the order of St. Louis, Commander in Chief of the naval armj- 
of France in the Chesapeak, on the one part ; — and the Right Honorable Earl 
Cornwallis, Lieutenant General of his Britannic Majesty's forces, commanding 
the garrisons of York and Gloucester — and Thomas Symoads, Esq. command- 
ing his Britannic Majesty's naval forces in York River, in Virginia, on the other 
part. 

Article I. 
The garrisons of York and Gloucester, including the officers and seamen of his 
Britannic Majesty's ships, as well as other mariners, to surrender themselves 
prisoners of war to the combined forces of America and France. The land troops 
to remain prisoners to the United States — the navy to the naval army of his Most 
Christian Majesty. 
Granted. 

Article II. 
The artillery, arms, accoutrements, military chest, and public stores of every 
denomination, shall be delivered unimpaired to the heads of departments appointed 
to receive them. 
Granted. 

, Article IH. 
At twelve o'clock this day, the two redoubts on the left flank of York to be de- 
livered, the one to a detachment of American infantry, the other to a detachment 
of French grenadiers. 
Granted. 

156 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

The garrison of York will march out to a place to be appointed in front of the 
posts, at two o'clock precisely, with shouldered arms, colors cased, and drums 
beating a British or German march. They are then to ground their arms, and 
return to their encampments, where they will remain until they are dispatched to 
the places of their destination. Two works on the Gloucester side will be deliver- 
ed at one o'clock to a detachment of French and American troops appointed to 
possess them. The garrison will march out at three o'clock in the afternoon ; the 
cavftlry with their swords drawn, trumpets sounding, and the infantry in the man- 
ner prescribed for the garrison of York. They are likewise to return to their en- 
campments until they can be finally marched off. 
Granted. 

Article IV. 

Officers are to retain their side-arms. Both officers and soldiers to keep their 
private property of every kind ; and no part of their baggage or papers to be at 
any time subject to search or inspection. The baggage and papers of officers and 
soldiers taken during the siege to be likewise preserved for them. 
Granted. 

ft is understood that any property obviously belonging to the inhabitants of 
these States in the possession of the garrison, shall be subject to be reclaimed. 

Article V. 

The soldiers to be kept in Virginia, Maryland, or Pennsylvania, and as much 
by regiments as possible, and supplied with the same rations and provisions as are 
allowed to soldiers in the service of America. A field officer from each nation, to 
wit, British, Anspach, and Hessian, and other officers on parole, in the proportion 
of one to fifty men, to be allowed to reside near their respective regiments, to visit 
them frequently, and be witnesses of their treatment, and that their officers may 
receive and deliver clothing and other necessaries for them, for which passports 
are to be granted when applied for. 
Granted. 

Article VI. 

The general, staff, and other officers, not employed, as mentioned in the above 
articles, and who choose it, to be permitted to go on parole to Europe, to New 
York, or to any other American maritime posts at present in the possession of the 
British forces, at their own option, and proper vessels to be granted by the Count 
de Grasse to carry them under flags of truce to New York within ten days from 
this date, if possible, and they to reside in a district to be agreed upon hereafter, 
until they embark. 

The officers of the civil department of the army and navy to be included in this 

article. Passports to go by laud to be granted to those to whom vessels cannot be 

furnished. 

Granted. 

ARpCLE VTI. 

Officers to be allowed to keep soldiers as servants, according to the common 
practice of the service. Servants not soldiers are not to be considered as prisoners, 
and are to be allowed to attend their masters. 
Granted. 

157 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

Article VIII. 
The Bonetto sloop of war to be equipped, and navigated l).y ils present captain 
and crew, and left entirely at the disposal of Lord Cornwallis from the hour that 
the capitulation is signed, to receive an Aid-de-Camp to carry dispatches to Sir 
Henry Clinton ; and such soldiers as he maj- think proper to send to New York, 
to be permitted to sail without examination. When his dispatches are ready, his 
Lordship engages on his part that the ship shall be delivered to the order of the 
Count de Grasse, if she escapes the dangers of the sea. That she shall not carry 
off any public stores. Any part of the crew that may be deficient on her return, 
and the soldiers passengers, to be accounted for on her delivery. 

Article IX. 

The traders are to preserve their property, and to be allowed three months to 
dispose of or remove them ; and those traders are not to be considered as prison- 
ers of war. 

The traders will be allowed to dispose of their effects, the allied army having 
the right of pre-emption. The traders to be considered as prisoners of war upon 
parole. 

Article X. 
Natives or inhabitants of different parts of this country at present in York or 
Gloucester, are not to be punished on account of having joined the British array. 

This article cannot be assented to, being altogether of civil resort. 

Article XI. 

Proper hospitals to be furnished for the sick and wounded. They are to be at- 
tended bj' their own surgeons on parole ; and ihcy are to be furnished with medi- 
cines and stores from the American hospitals. 

The hospital stores now in York and Gloucester shall be delivered for ihc use 
of the British sick and wounded. Passports will be granted for procuring them 
further supplies from New York, as occasion njay require ; and proper hospitals 
will be furnished for the deception of the sick and wounded of the two garrisons. 

Article XII. 
Wagons to be furnished to carry the baggage of the ofiBcers attending the 
soldiers, and to surgeons when travelling on account of the sick, or attending the 
hospitals, at public expense. 

They are to be furnished if possible. 

Article XIII. 
The shipping and boats in the two harbors, with all their stores, guns, tackling, 
and apparel, shall be delivered up in their present state to an officer of the navy 
appointed to take possession of them, previously unloading the private property 
part of which had been on board for security during the siege. 

Granted. 

158 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

Article XIV. 
No article of this capitulation to be infringed on pretence of reprisals ; and if 
there be any doubtful expressions in it, they are to be interpreted according to the 
common meaning and acceptation of the words. 
Granted. 



Done at Yorktown, in Virginia, October 19, 1781. 



CORNWALLIS. 
THOMAS SYMONDS. 



Done in the trenches before Yorktown, in Virginia, October 19, 1781. 

G. WASHINGTON. 
Le Comte de ROCHAMBEAU. 
Le Comte dcBARRASS, 

En mon nom & cclui du 
Comte de GRASSE. 



The painting of the "Surrender of the British Array at 
Yorktown," occupies the panel north of the west door of the 
Rotunda. 

The picture has about it all the glory of victory. The royal 
standard of France waves in triumph over the French officers 
of the allied army, and streaming across the back ground of 
luminous sky our Flag, with thirteen stars emblazoned on it, 
seems as if it were of "the baldric of the heavens bright! " 

General O'llara, dressed in the gorgeous red coat uniform of 
the Britisli service, is on foot attended by other officers, and 
near him, on horseback, is General Lincoln. 

It is impossible for words to express the exultant joy which 
pervaded the States when the news of Cornwallis's surren- 
der arrived, by the then slow processes of conveying intelli- 
gence. In Philadelphia the news came by express at midnight, 
and the watchmen as they cried the hour in their usual rounds 
in the streets added the joyful information, " and Cornwallis 
taken!'''' 

159 



TfiE FEDERAL CITY 



THE PAINTING OF THE RESIGNATION OP 
GENERAL WASHINGTON, 

AT ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND, DECEMBER 23, 1783. 



rm: following is a list of the portraits which are introduced, the ndmbers 

REFER TO THE ODTLINE HEADS IN THE KET. 

No. 

1. Thomas Mifflin, of Pennsylvania, President of Congress. 

2. Charles Thompson, of Pennsylvania, Member of Congress. 

3. Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, " 

4. Hugh Williamson, of North Carolina, " 

5. Samuel Osgood, of Massachusetts, " 

6. Edward McCorab, of Delaware, " 

7. George Partridge, of Massachusetts, " 

8. Edward Lloyd, of Maryland, " 

9. R. D. Spaight, of North Carolina. " 

10. Benjamin Hawkins, of North Carolina, " 

11. A. Foster, of New Hampshire, " 

12. Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia, " 

13. Arthur Lee, of Virginia, •' 

14. David Howell, of Rhode Island, " 

15. James Monroe, of Virginia, " 

16. Jacob Reid, of South Carolina, " 

17. James Madison, of Virginia, spectator. 

18. William Ellery, of Rhode Island, Member of Congress. 

19. Jeremiah Townley Chase, of Maryland, " 

20. S. Hardy, of Virginia, " 

21. Charles Morriss, of Pennsylvania, " 

22. General George Washington. 

23. Colonel Benjamin Walker, and 

24. Colonel David Humphrys, Aid-de-Camps. 

25. General Smallwood, of Maryland, spectator. 

26. General Otho Holland Williams, of Maryland, spectator. 

27. Colonel Samuel Smith, of Maryland, " 

28. Colonel John E. Howard, of Baltimore, Md., " 

29. Charles Carroll, and two daughters, of Maryland, spectators. 

30. Daniel, of St. Thomas Jennifer, Maryland, spectator. 

31. Mrs. Washington, and her three grandchildren. 

Colonel Trumbull continues : 

160 




tt o 




THE FEDERAL CITY. 

" The peace of 1783 accomplished the great object of the 
American Revolution. 

'■ General Washington after taking an affectionate leave of 
his old comrades at New York, accompanied by only two of 
them, proceeded to Annapolis, where Congress was then sitting, 
and there resigned his commission — thus divesting himself 
of all authority — and retired to private life. 

" The following impressive history of the scene is copied 
from the Journal of Congress ; and has been made the basis of 
the picture. One further circumstance deserves notice, not so 
much from its importance, as from its singularity. Thomas 
Mifflin, then President of Congress, and into whose hands the 
General resigned his commission, had been in 1775, his first 
Aid-de-Camp, and he who painted the picture had been his 
second." 

Extract from the Journal of Congress, Dec. 23, 1783. 

" According to order, his Excellency the Commander in 
Chief was admitted to a public audience, and being ,seated, the 
President, after a pause, informed him, that the United States 
in Congress assembled, were prepared to receive his commu- 
nications ; whereupon he arose and addressed Congress as 
follows : 

Mr. President, 

The great events on which my resignation depended, having 
at length taken place,, I have now the honor of offering my 
sincere congratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself 
before them, to surrender into their hands the trust committed 
to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service 
of my country. 

Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sover- 
eignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United 
States of becoming a respectable nation, T resign with satisfac- 
tion the appointment 1 accepted with diffidence — a diffidence 
in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task ; which how- 
ever was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

cause, the support of the supreme power of the Union, and 
the patronage of heaven. 

The successful termination of the war has verified the most 
sanguine expectations ; and my gratitude for the interposition 
of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my 
countrymen, increases with every review of the momentous 
contest. 

While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I 
should do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge, in 
this place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the 
gentlemen who have been attached to my person during the 
war. It was impossible the choice of confidential officers to 
compose my family should have been more fortunate. Permit 
me, sir, to recommend in particular, those who have continued 
in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the favora- 
ble notice and patronage of Congress. 

I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last act of 
my official life, by commending the interests of our dearest 
country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who 
have the superintendence of them to His holy keeping. 

Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the 
great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to 
this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I 
here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the em- 
ployments of public life. 

He then advanced and delivered to the President his commis 
sion, with a copy of his address, and having resumed his place, 
the President returned him the following answer : 

Sir, 
The United States in Congress assembled, receive with emo 
tions too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of the 
authorities under which you have led their troops with success, 
through a perilous and a doubtful war ; called upon by your 
country to defend its invaded rights, you accepted the sacred 
charge, before it had formed alliances, and whilst iu was with- 

iGi 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

out funds or a government to support you ; you have conduct- 
ed the great military contest with wisdom and fortitude, inva- 
riably regarding the rights of the. civil power through all dis- 
asters and changes. You have, by the love and confidence of 
your fellow citizens, enabled them to display their mailial 
genius, and transmit their fame to posterity, You have perse- 
vered, till these United States, aided by a magnanimous King 
and nation, have been enabled, under a just Providence, to 
close the war in freedom, safety and independence ; on which 
happy event we sincerely join you in congratulations. 

Having defended the standard of liberty in this New World 
— having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict and to 
those who feel oppression — you retire from the great theatre 
of action, with the blessings of your fellow citizens ; but the 
glory of your virtues will not terminate with your military 
command — it will continue to animate remotest ages. 

We feel, with you, our obligation to the army in general, 
and will particularly charge ourselves with the interests of 
those confidential officers, who have attended your person to 
this affecting moment. 

We join 3'ou in commending the interest of our dearest 
country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching Him to 
dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the 
opportunity afforded them, of becoming a happy and respecta- 
ble nation. And for you we address to Him our earnest 
prayers, that a life so beloved may be fostered with all His 
care ; that your days may be as happy as they have been 
illustrious : and that He will finally give you that reward 
which this world cannot give." 

The above extract explains this picture better than would 
any lengthened description of it. At the State House in Ann- 
apolis, in the Senate Chamber, the very spot where General 
Washington stood when he delivered his address, and handed 
in his resignation, is pointed out to the visitor. 

This last of Trumbull's pictures occupies the panel we.^t of 

1G5 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

the north door of the- Rotunda, and next the painting of the 
" Surrender of the British Army at Yorktown." An engraving 
of it is on the back of the one thousand dollar notes of the 
national currency. 

The sura of §32,000 was paid by Congress to the artist for 
these four pictures. He was occupied seven years in painting 
them. 



Colonel John Trumbull, the artist, was born in Lebanon, 
Connecticut, June 7, 1756, and died in New York Nov. 10, 
1843. He was a son of the celebrated Jonathan Trumbull, 
Governor of Connecticut previous to, and during the American 
Revolution, upon whom, Sparks tells us, Washington " relied 
as one of his main pillars of support." 

It was on account of his father's name the expression arose, 
now used so familiarly as a personation humorously applied to 
Americans. General AVashington on an occasion of importance, 
vsaid of his friend, the Governor of Connecticut, — " We must 
consult brother Jonathan first." Officers who were present soon 
formed the habit of using the phrase as a bye word, and it circu- 
lated more and more, until eventually it became a common 
utterance. 

Some of the prominent events of Colonel Trumbull's career, 
have been already noted in the course of. the description given 
of his Rotunda pictures. Like most artists, upon entering the 
autumn of life, Trumbull had failed to husband a pecuniary 
competence. During his European sojourns he had been 
induced to adopt on borrowed means an expensive style of 
living, the cost of which afterwards had to be paid, and thus 
he was kept poor. 

In these circumstances, he entered into an arrangement with 
the authorities of Yale College, to whom he transferred copies 
of his Rotunda pictures (of a smaller size, 6 feet by 9,) and also 
of the remainder of the national series he had originally created, 
with various sketches and portraits, etc., in all fifty-seven paint- 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

ings, known as the Trumbull Gallery, for wliicli a fire proof 
building was erected — for them he was secured an annual 
income of one thousand dollars, and after his death the sum 
arising from their exhibition was to be devoted to educating 
poor students at that seat of learning. 

Colonel Trumbull was made President of the American 
Academy of Fine Arts, from its foundation in 1816, until the 
formation of the National Academy of Design in 1825. In 
the capacity of president he afforded instruction to numerous 
pupils. 

A large portion of his latter years was spent in the city of 
New York. He was buried at New Haven. He and his wife 
are both interred beneath the gallery in which his pictures are 
preserved. He was in the habit of calling these productions 
of his pencil Ms children, and now sleeps near them. He left 
no descendants. 

The following information relative to the incident represented 
in the painting last described, of Colonel Trumbull, will doubt- 
less be considered interesting : 

Thomas Jefferson was appointed chairman of the committee 
to arrange the ceremonies on the occasion of Washington's 
resignation of his command to Congress. The other members 
of the committee were Gerry, Ellery, Reifl and Hawkins. 
"Jefferson," says Kandall, "drew up that simple but dignified 
and impressive order of proceedings which has since been so 
universally admired. The beautiful answer of the President 
of Congress to General Washington's address, has always also, 
and without denial, been ascribed to Mr. Jefferson's pen." 

1G7 



RELIEVOS IN THE ROTUNDA. 

THE ALTO-BELIEVOS OF THE ROTUNDA : .PRESERVATIO!? OF CAPTAIN SMITH BY POCA- 
HONTAS — LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS ON PLYMOUTH ROCK — PENN'S TREATY WITH 
THE INDIANS — CONFLICT BETWEEN DANIEL BOONE AND THE INDIANS — BASSO- 
RELIEVOS WITH HEADS OF COLUMBUS, CABOT, SIR WALTER RALEIGH, AND LA 
SALLE — ORNAMENTATION OF THE FRIEZE — THE DOME. 

Over eacli of the four doors leading into the Rotunda, is an 
alto-relievo in stone.* The doors open towards the four points 
of the compass, north, south, east, and west. 

The group occupying the panel over the west door exhibits 
the earliest scene in point of time of them all, and represents, 

THE PRESERVATION OF CAPTAIN SMITH 
BY POCAHONTAS. 

Mr. Watterston informs us that the design is partly taker 
from a rude engraving of the event in the first edition of 
•'Smith's History of Virginia." 

In Captain Smith's Narrative, the following is stated : — 

"Having feasted him [Smith] after their best barbarous 
manner they could, a long consultation was held, but the con- 
clusion was, two great stones were brought before Powhatan : 
then as many as could lay hands on him dragged him to them, 
and thereon laid his head, and being ready zuith their clubs to 
beat out his brains, Pocahontas, the king's dearest daughter, 
when no entreaty could prevail, got his head in her arms, and 
laid her oion upon his to save him from death : whereat the 
emperor [Powhatan] was contented he should live to make him 
hatchets, and her bells, beads, and copper." 

In the alto-relievo, which consists of five figures, Captain 
Smith is represented helplessly bound, reclining on his elbow, 
the rest of his body lying on the ground. Pocahontas, his 

* The cost of these four alto relievoa is said to have been about $14,000. 
163 



A L T O B K 1. I K V O 

OVER WEST DOOR OF ROTUNDA. 




PRESERVATION OF CAPTAIN S M I T U BY POCAHONTAS. 



ALTO k K L I K V n 



OVER NORTH DOOR OF ROTUNDA. 




■VTM. PEXX'S TREATY ^ri T H INDIANS. 



A LT'i R KI. T v. V< 



OVER SOUTH DOOR OF ROTUNDA. 




DANIEL BOONE AND INDIANS, 



ALTO KKLIKVO 

OVER EAST DOOR OF ROTUNDA, 




LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS ON PLVMUUTU ROCK 



TIIE FEDERAL CITY. 

rescuer, is hanging over liim, her arms extended deprecatingly 
to ward oflf the death blows of the suspended clubs. Her father, 
with the imperial circlet of feathers on his head, stands between 
two fierce savages with clubs, who are intently watching him 
for instructions, but by a significant gesture, he is arresting the 
further perpetration of the cruel act. A blazing council fire, 
and the date of the event, 1606, are minor accessories of the 
composition. 



Signor Capellano, an Italian, and a pupil of the celebrated 
Canova, executed this work in 1825. An art critic of that 
period remarks of it : — " The Avhole piece is certainly very 
rich and ornamental, though the face and head dress of Poca- 
hontas are somewhat Grecian, and the features of Powhatan 
are less like an Indian than an European.***"When the prog- 
ress of civilization shall have caused the children of the forest 
to disappear, it will be impossible to determine as to the Indian 
physiognomy, form, and costume, by a reference to the figures 
sculptured in this panel of the Eotunda." 

THE LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS ON 
PLYMOUTH ROCK, 

Is the subject of the alto-relievo over the east door of the 
Eotunda. The event is the next in time of these representa- 
tions to the one just described. The artist was Signor Enrico 
Causici, of Verona, another pupil of (-auova. 

An emaciated tall man is stepping from a boat upon a rock, 
on which an Indian is sitting, who extends to him an ear of 
corn. An expression of hesitancy and gratitude is on the 
white man's face. A woman and boy are behind him in the 
boat. The woman's face is raised in pious gratitude to heaven, 
and bears the impress of watchings and fastings. The boy 
holds on to his father, and seems to desire to prevent his land- 
ing. Upon the prow of the boat is the date of the landing of 
the pilgrims, 1 620. 

177 



THE FEDERAL CITY, 

WILLIAM PENTjST's TREATY WITH THE 
INDIANS, 

Is the design in stone over the north door. There is less 
space given to this than to the two other works of sculpture 
already described. 

The famous Elm Tree hangs in shady luxuriance over the 
group of three, two Indians and the Quaker, that compose the 
representation, while a pair of turtle doves sheltered in the 
foilage above them are making love to each other. 

Penn, with the treaty in one hand, is clasping with his other 
the right hand of the elder Indian, who holds the calumet, or 
pipe of peace, in his left hand. An arm of the younger Indian 
is thrown over the shoulder of the elder chief to whom he is 
earnestly talking. On the treaty is inscribed the date, 1686. 

A Frenchman, Monsieur N. Gkvelot, executed this work in 
1827. It has been severely criticised. 

conflict between DANIEL BOONE AND 
THE INDIANS. 

Over the door leading south is the representation of a peril- 
ous adventure of the far famed pioneer of Kentucky, Boone, 
with Indians. 

The brave backwoodsman is the hero of the conflict, He has 
already discharged his rifle with a fatal result, for at his feet 
a dead Indiap is lying, while another, with upraised tomahawk, 
is striking at him. Boone averts the blow by elevating his rifle 
with his left hand, and with his right draws his " long knife," 
to thrust it into the heart of his foe. The boughs of the forest 
hang over the combatants. The date of the event, 1775, 
appears on the bark of a tree. 

The profile likeness of Boone which is given, was taken from 
a portrait by Hardinge, an acknowledged artist, and is said to 
be an excellent likeness of the man. 

This alto-relievo is the work of Signor Enrico Causici, and 
is thought spirited and to possess considerable merit. An un- 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

looked for compliment was paid it years ago by a band of 
Winnebago Indians on a visit to Washington. Mr. Wm. Q. 
KoiJCE, in his interesting work, " Picture of the City of Wash- 
ington," thus relates the incident : — 

" ^lany years ago a band of Winnebagos, one of the most 
savage of the North American Indian tribes, came through the 
Eotunda. The delegation consisted of about twenty. They 
were wild, savage, proud, and almost intractable, and had 
never before permitted themselves to be induced to visit the 
settlements of flie whites. They were all of them noble looking 
fellows dressed in their own barbaric uniform. Their faces 
were painted of various colors, and in their belts were their 
scalping knives and tomahawks, and over their backs their 
long iron-looking bows and arrows. Their attention was im- 
mediately arrested by this group of statuary — Boone killing 
the Indian. They formed a semicircle, and the head man 
stei)pcd forward and stood before the rest. The}^ looked in- 
tently for some moments, scrutinizing and recognizing every 
part of the scene, and suddenly, as of one impulse, they raised 
their dreadful war cry, and run hurriedly from the hall." 



There are eight long narrow basso relievos of arabesque pat- 
tern in the panels above the great national pictures in the 
Rotunda. Four of them contain medallion heads. The port- 
raits are Columbus, Cabot, Sir Walter Raleigh, and La Salle. * 

It seems proper that likenesses of these men should have a 
place in this grand chamber commemorative of American 
history. 

Of the first, Columbus, it is unnecessary to speak. 

The second, [John] Cabot, or Cabota, was the discoverer of 
the continent of North America, upon whose soil he first plant- 
ed the banners of England and Venice, in 1497. He sailed 
under a patent granted by Henry VII. of England, and is 
supposed to have been a Venitian. A son of the elder Cabot, 
named Sebastian, was also a distinguished early navigator. 

•These are stated, in "Art in the District of Columbia," by F. C. Adams, to have cost 
$9,500. 

179 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

Sir AV alter Ealeigii was the discoverer of Virginia, to 
which he gave the name it bears in co-mpliment to the then 
queen of England, Elizabeth. lie was born in 1552, and be- 
lieaded in Old Palace Yard, Westminster, 1618. Thirteen 
years of his life were passed in confinement, having been ac- 
cused of an attempt to place Arabella Stuart upon the throne 
after tlie accession of James I. He was released in 1015, 
without pardon, or having the charge withdrawi>, and permit- 
ted to sail on another expedition to the New World. It proved 
disastrous, and he came near precipitating England into a war 
with Spain. On his return his life was demanded by the Spanish 
ambassador. 

It is related, that when brought to the scaffi:)ld, Raleigh said, 
gazing at the axe, — •' This is a sharp medicine, but a cure for all 
diseases." He was of an imposing appearance, and possessed 
dauntless courage, extensive knowledge, and varied accomplish- 
ments. 

La Salle was born at Rouen, France, in 1635, and was an 
enterprising adventurer who travelled widely over the western 
and southern portions of what is noAV the United States. He 
was shot in Texas by one of his own followers, in 1 687. 



Above the architrave of the Rotunda is a sunken space, now 
a blank wall, nine feet high, surrounding the chamber. 

It was originally intended that this recessed panel or Frieze, 
should contain, in alio-rdievo, a succession of figures illustra- 
tive of American History and Progress. The gradual advance 
of civilization from barbarism, rising step by step from the 
rude state of tribes previous to the discovery by Columbus ; 
the contests of the Aztecs with their less advanced predecessors, 
and then their conquest by the Spaniards ; the wild hunter 
state of the nomade tribes ; the retreat of the red and advance 
of the white race ; then our own Revolutionary struggle, and 
the high achievments of present civilization ; — were all to be 
prominently presented. 

180 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

In what manner this idea will be carried out is, at present, 
doubtful, [1869,] as the committee who have the matter in 
charge have under consideration the substitution instead of a 
fresco painting, in shaded tints, embodying the same general 
subject. The difference in the cost would amount to hundreds 
oi' thousands of dollars. 



A short distance above the Frieze is a balustrade running 
round the Rotunda, protecting a circuitous walk from which a 
line view is obtained of the interior of the apartment. Thirty- 
six tall windows here pierce the room admitting a flood of 
light, while immediately, on a line on the outside, is a magnifi- 
cent colonnade, sweeping in a proud circuit of over three 
hundred feet in circumference, overlooking the Federal City 
and a wide extent of surrounding country. 

Above these windows springs the arch of the Dome, gradu- 
ally lessening in curvature, like the inside of an egg shell, and 
contracting to a space of 60 feet in diameter. Neither of the 
other two higher circles of windows of the Dome pierces the 
inside shell. Painted iron caissons line the interior of the 
curvature. 

Over this open Eye stretches the Canopy of the Rotunda 
within which is painted Brumidi's allegorical conception of the 
Apotheosis of "Washington.* 

*The word "Apotheosis" is of Greek derivation, and its meaning is ''the 
enrolment of a mortal among the gods." 

181 



THE DOME AND APEX. 



ALLEGOKICAL PAINTINiJ BY BUCMIDI WITHIN TUE CANOPY OF TUE ROTUNDA — 
ODTEK AND INSIDE SHELLS OF THE DO^IE — SIGNOR C. BUCJIIDI — THE LIGHTING 
OF THE ROTUNDA AT NIGHT — THE LANTERN OB ' ' THOLUS" — APEX OF THE 
DOME — THE MODEL OF ORAWFORD'S STATDE OF FREEDOM. 

To an American the Rotunda of the Capitol is replete with 
interest. 

lie feels his heart beating within him as he treads the solid 
floor. Pictures, and works in alio relievo, crowd on the sight, 
and, from them all, come glimpses of proud historic teachings. 

Up, still higher, above the painted iron caissons, which, like 
huge plates of overlying mail, approach the far-away roof, 180 
feet, the fresco by Brumidi arrests the gaze, as though the sky; 
had opened, and it were permitted to look into the " Beyond." 

Clouds of gold, azure, and rose, seem hanging there, spanned 
by a rainbow, and, floating among them, forms of exquisite 
beauty. " Grand mythological figures, symbolizing Force and 
Progress, appear there too, Titanic — majestic; almost appalling 
with their great significance. The calm glorious faces of the 
great American dead, also look down with eyes that seem 
living 6yes, from out the mysterious dizzy height of the huge 
concave. 

The Dome consists of two shells of iron ; an outer and an 
inside shell. The outer shell is pierced with openings. Re- 
flectors are so placed, that the admitted light falls lull upon the 
inside of the Canopy, and illumines the picture. At night, a 
circle of 425 gas jets (that are ignited by electricity) surround- 
ing the base of the Canopy, fills this portion of the Dome with 
light brighter than that of day. 

A stairway winds up between the two shells, and views of 
the picture can be obtained at difi'erent heights. Just beneath 

182 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

the base of the Canopy a railed gallery traverses the circuit of 
the Dome. There is also another gallery'-, considerably lower 
down, surrounding the Rotunda. 

CENTRAL G-ROUP OF THE PICTURE. 

Washtngton, the Saviour of his Country, apotheosized, 
appears seated in majesty. On his right is the Goddess of 
Liberty, and, on his left is a winged idealization of Victory 
and Fame — sounding a trumpet, and in triumph displaying 
the victor's palm. 

Before the three, forming a semicircle, are thirteen female 
figures. The head of each is crowned with a star. They hold 
up a ribbon banner on which is inscribed, E Pluribus Uniim. 

These figures represent the thirteen sister States of 
Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Cox- 
necticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New 
Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and 
Rhode Island — the original British Colonies — that fought. 
and bled, and conquered — winning freedom, and the right t( > 
sing and shout the glad " morning hymn " announcing the 
coming dawn of man's Millennial Day. 

Signor Brumidi, in his grouping of the States, has linked 
them together (jcographicalh/, and not according to the order in 
which they adopted the Federal Constitution. The figure on 
the extreme left of Washington represents New Hampshire, then 
in semicircular sweep succeed Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Con- 
necticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Marjdand, Dela- 
ware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia., 

The drapery, as well as the attitudes, of these figures, and 
the leaves and blossoms entwined in their hair, betoken the 
States they represent The subdued delicate colors for the 
Northern States change to brighter and deeper tints, warming 
into intenser hues for the Southern States. There is also sym- 
boled the grass and maize of the North, the wheat, the rye, and 
the tobacco of the Middle States, and the cotton of the South. 

183 



THE F 1^" 1) E n A L CITY. 



Below this centre group are six others, surrounding the 
base of the Canopy. 

The first, occupying the west, is 



WAR. 

Freedom, with uplifted sword, is striking down tyranny and 
kingly power. Gray-bearded Tyranny, and his companion, 
Priestcraft, (bareheaded,) are fleeing in dismay, while a 
mailed Soldier is vainly trying to uphold an ermined robe. 
Discord is between. Beyond the soldier is Eevenge, bearing 
incendiary torches, and Anger, biting his own finger. 

An angry Eagle, striking with his beak, is fighting for, — 
and by the side of. Freedom. . 

The second, is 

AGRICULTURE. 

This conception, in all its details, is softly beautiful, as the 
other is sublime in its exhibition of destructive power. 

Ceres, the Goddess of Harvests and the Fields, with the 
Horn of Plenty, is in the centre. 

Young America, with Liberty Cap, of red, (the lonnet rouge 
of France,) is consigning to Ceres the control over a pair of 
vigorous horses which are being hitched to an American 
Reaper. 

In the foreground is a luxuriant mass of prolific American 
vegetation. Flora is gathering flowers, and, lingering near, 
is a child. Beyond is Pomona with a basket of fruit. 

Then, succeeds 

MECHANICS. 

Vulcan, the old stalwart Tubal Cain of Grecian mythology, 
is the colossal genius of this group. His right foot rests on a 
cannon. 

184 



APOTHEOSIS OF WASHINGTON, 



By C. BltUJIIDI. 




Painted within the Canopy of the Dome of the U. S. Capitol. 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

Machinery, forges, mortars, and cannon balls, strewn around, 
remind us of forging thunder bolts, as well as of combat with, 
and victory over, the giant forces of nature, and making them 
subservient to human v/ill, and purposes. 

The next, and occupying the east, is 



COMMERCE. 

Mercury, the Protector of Travellers and Merchants, holds 
in his hand a bag of gold, to which he is directing the attention 
of Robert Morris, the Financier of the American Eevolution. 
It was he who guided to a successful issue the entangled 
pecuniary embarrassments of our country in its struggle for 
independence. Alas ! for himself, he died a bankrupt. 

Boxes of merchandise, and bales of goods, with men at work 
among them, are to be seen. Two sailors point to a gunboat 
in the distance. 

The group beside this, symbolizes the 



MARINE. 

Neftune, in marine state, bearing his trident, in his car, 
accompanied by his charioteer and attendants, is emerging 
astonished from the deep. 

The beautiful Aphrodite, [Venus], born of the sea foam, 
half risen from the waves, holds in her hand the Atlantic cable, 
given her by a winged cherub, and is about dropping it into 
the sea. 

The last, is 

187 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 



THE AUTS AND SCIENCES. 

Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom, stands gloriously promi- 
nent, with helmet and spear, as she sprang, full grown, from 
the brain of Jupiter. 

In meek attitudes, but with glowing faces, attentive to her 
teachings, are Benjamin Franklin, Printer and Philosopher, 
Robert Fulton, of Steamboat renown, and S. F. B. Morse, 
the generally acknowledged inventor of the Magnetic Telegraph . 

There are also boys, with wondering eyes, and expressive 
gestures, listening to the instructions of a school teacher. 

This painting covers an area of 4:664: square feet. The 
circumference of the base of the Canopy is 205 feet, 4 inches; 
its diameter is 65 feet, -i inches, and its height from base to top, 
in a straight line, is 20 feet, 7\ inches. [These dimensions were 
obtained at the office of Edward Clark, Esq., present Architect 
of the Capitol Extension and the New Dome, a pupil of the 
Designer and former Architect, Thomas U. Walter, Esq.] 

An art critic has remarked of this fresco : 

" That, whether considered as regards the conceptions of the 
artist, the perfection of coloring and drawing, the faultless 
grouping, or the peculiar characteristics that adapt it to the 
concave surface on which it is painted, and to the great distance 
from which it must be viewed, the picture is a master piece of 
art. 

"In foreshortening, coloring, and proportion, its position 
has required the study of effects to be produced at an altitude 
of nearly two hundred feet, and ^[r. Brumidi, in addition to his 
powers of genius, has been obliged to bring into requisition the 
learning and mature study of the highest schools of art." 

ISS 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

Signer C. Brumidi. 

It is natural to desire to know something of the artist to 
whom we are indebted for this painting. Signor C. Brumidi 
is an Italian, and was born in Rome in 1811. He came to 
America in 1852, and is a naturalized citizen of the United 
States. 

He has been mainly engaged for years in ornamenting 
various portions of the walls of the Capitol, and his name will 
ever be associated with the history and beauty of our world- 
renowned national building. 

He recently also painted the frescoes which adorn the Cathe- 
dral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, in Philadelphia. 

Cost of the Picture, etc. 

The amount of appropriation made for this fresco picture 
was forty thousand dollars. 

The preparation of the- plaster ground-work for the artist, 
requiring the most careful judgment, was the work of Mr. 
Joseph Beckert, who also prepared the wall for Leutze's 
picture of "Western Emigration" above the western staircase 
leading to the gallery of the Hall of the House of Representa- 
tives. The wall preparation for these two pictures was, how- 
ever, very different — one being for a fresco and the other for a 
painting in stereochrome. 

The stairway still continues its ascent above the picture, and 
traverses the top of the Canopy, between the two shells, until it 
reaches the " Tholus " or " Lantern " a-top of the Dome. 

Around the base of the Lantern, outside the Dome, is a 
circular railed gallery, or promenade, from which is a view, on 
all sides so magnificent, that it will never be forgotten by any 
who have climbed the height. No visitor to the " Federal 
City" should fail to avail himself of the privilege of making 
the ascent, which, though long and wearisome, is unattended 
with danger. 

189 



THE FEDERAL CITY 



THE LIGHTING OF THE ROTUNDA AT NIGHT. 

The Rotunda is lighted at night by three tiers of gas jets 
encircling it at the various heights of 45, 80, and 165 feet. 
The lowest tier has 300, tlie middle 325, and the highest 425 
burners. The burners themselves cannot be seen from the floor 
of the apartment, but light flames from them illumining frescoes, 
paintings, and sculpture. 

Also, above each of the eight pictures of the Rotunda, it is 
arranged that a softened light, from sixteen illumined globes, 
shall bring into view the minutest details of each painted 
canvas. 

The Tholus is furnished with 90 burners, arranged in a ver- 
tical series of circular clusters. These appear, when lighted 
seen from the outside, a column of fire hanging above the Dome 
of the Capitol. 

All these 1268 burners are ignited by electricity almost in- 
stantaneously. The gas consumed costs about $17.50 per hour. 

An upper room in the Capitol, lying north of the Rotunda, 
of an eliptical shape, and in its dimensions 45 by 36 feet, 
contains the battery by which this is effected. The battery 
embraces 200 glass jars, 13 inches in diameter and 14 inches 
deep, arranged on tables in concentric series. 

The length of copper wire used in making the necessary 
connections is three miles. The wire, [No. 10,] after being 
wrapped in linen, is enclosed in India rubber tubing, and then 
inserted into passages drilled with immense labor through the 
walls. The return circuit is througli the gas pipes. 

Each burner has an indestructible lava tip, (which acts as an 
insulator,) and also an insulated coil of platinum wire set a little 
on one side of the gas orifice so as not to impair the flow of the 
jet. This platinum wire when made red hot by the electric 
current fires the emitted gas. The time consumed in lighting 
the whole number of burners is about 90 seconds. 

At a silver dial plate, placed just outside of the Rotunda in 

luo 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

the passage leading towards the Senate, the various manipula- 
tions are made that regulate the lighting of tlie burners, and th(i 
amount of gas consumed. It has eleven keys. 

I extract from an admirable paper explaining the manner of 
its working, the following : — 

" The central key has two manipulations. One makes the 
battery connection, and the other brings any number of section>: 
of the battery into play, the range being from 20 to 200 jars. 
The ten keys which are ranged around the centre one, are for 
the gas and lighting connections of the respective tiers. 

"On the level of, and appertaining to, each tier is a gas stop- 
cock which is worked by an electro- magnetic engine, the power 
being derived from the battery. 

" The gas key appertaining to each tier has a dark and a light 
segment attached to it, showing through the orifices in the face 
plate when the gas is off or on, and the motion of bringing the 
light segment to view makes a series of electrical connections 
with the electro-magnetic engine which operates the gas stop- 
cock. 

" The lighting key, in like manner, in its revolution, makes 
a series of battery connections with circuits, which embrace 
sections of the circle of burners. The burners are arranged 
in sections of thirty or less, each section having an independ- 
ent circuit connection with the battery under the control of the 
operator who, by the revolution of the key, makes the whole 
series of connections in each tier of burners. 



Mr. S'AMUEL Gahdixer, Jr., of 171 Broadway, New York, 
is the inventor of this plan of lighting by electricity. The ex- 
periments made by him run through a period of nearly ten 
years; eleven patents cover the main features of his invention. 
For two-years-and-a-half, the work of laying the pipe and wire, 
and adjusting the connections with the burners, gradually 
progressed, until, on the evening of Jan. 3, 1866, the succes.sl'u! 



THE F E D E ]l A L CITY. 

illumination of the Rotunda Avas achieved, and its three tiers 
of" burners lighted. 

Tlie effect produced at lighting is almost startling. As 
succeeding sections of tiers are fired, flushes follow like the play 
of sheeted lio^htnino-. To watch from the floor of the immense 
vaulted room looming in the dim obscure, its liuge proportions 
brigliten into distinctness, while, group, after group, of 
Brumidi's fresco, appears high in air, like living figures, seems 
a scene of enchantment, such as we read of in the Arabian 
Nights, and it is not, until the whole of the vast Rotunda is 
illuminated, that the impression disappears of all being the 
work of magic art. 

When completely lighted, the picture over the Eye of the 
Dome appears far more beautiful than in the light of day — 
seeming a painting on semi-transparent porcelain. 

THE THOLUS, OR LANTERN. 

The "Tholus," so called from a Greek word, signifying "'the 
roof of a temple," surmounts the Dome. It resembles in form 
an ancient Grecian Simple ; and although not octagonal, brings 
to mind the celebrated "Tower of the Winds." 

It is, in foct, an imitation of the " Choragic Monument of 
Lysicrates," at Athens, erected about 330 years B. C. These* 
Choragic buildings, were in honor of those, who, as choragi, 
or leaders of the chorus in the musical games, won the prize. 

The Tholus is surrounded with Corinthian pillars, into whose 
ornaments American products are introduced. Inside the 
pillars is a casing of glass. 

From the ground the Tholus appears of no great size, though 

its narrowest diameter is 18 ft. 5 in., and its height 54 ft. 6 in., 

crowned with a globe, on which stands Crawford's Statue of 

Freedom, 19 ft. 6 in. high. From the base of the Tholus to 

the top of the statue the height in all is 74 feet. The statue 

looks towards the east, and, soonest of all things in the national 

Capital, its wonderful face kindles with the beams of the rising 

sun. 

192 



the federal city. 

Crawford's statue of freedom. 

The followiug, relative to this statue, is extracted from tlic 
annual Report for 1862, of the architect, Thomas U. Walter, Esq. 

'"It, is composed entirely of bronze, .and is constructed in five sections, the 
weight of the heaviest of which is 4,740 pounds. It is 19 feet, 6 inches, high, 
and weighs 14,985 pounds. 

" Tliere has been expended on its account the sum of $23,790 82, as follows : 

Paid T.Crawford for plaster model 3,000 00 

Paid Clark Mills for services, rent of foundry, and labor, 9,800 00 

Paid for labor to .May 15, 1861 4,812 30 

Paid tor hauling 141 07 

Paid Phelps, Dodge & Co., for tin 570 00 

Paid the Kevier Copper Company for copper 3,328 70 

Paid Morgan & Rinehart for plaster 525 00 

Paid John McClelland for iron castings 302 95 

Paid for old scrap copper 500 00 

Paid for coal, wood, nails, oil, alchohol, sand, buckets, 

lumber, crucibles, &c., &c 628 75 

I'aid for removing the statue from the foundry, and put- 
ting it up upon the grounds east of the Capitol 187 99 

Making the total cost to this date, Nov. 1, 1862, $23,790 82 " 

Mr. Walter in his Report for 1864, also gives the following 
account of the inauguration of the statue : — 

"At the date of my last annual Report preparations were being made tor put- 
ting the Statue of Freedom in place on the top of the Dome. This was accom- 
plished without accident on the second of December last. [1863.] Four of the 
sections had been previously raised to their places, and firmly secured to the 
structure, leaving the fifth section, which embraces the head and shoulders, to 
constitute the crowning feature, the hoisting and adjusting of which was the 
occasion of the following special order of the War Department : 

Headquarters Department of Washington, 

Twenty-second Army Corps, December 1, 1863. 
Special Order No. 248. 

3. At 12 m., on the 2d instant, the Statue of Freedom which crowns the Dome 
of the national Capitol will be inaugurated. In commemoration of the event, 
and as an expression due from this department, of respect for the material symbol 
of the principle upon which our government is based, it is ordered^ 

First, At the moment at which a flag is displayed from the Statue, a national 
salute of tliirty-five guns will be fired from a field batterj' on Capitol hill. 

Seconil, The last gun from this salute will be answered by a similar salute from 
Fort Stanton, which will be followed in successiou, from right to left, by salutes 
from Forts Davis, Mahan, Lincoln, Bunker Hill, Tolten, De Russy, Reno, Cameron, 
Corcoran, 'Albany, and Scott. 

4. l^rigadier General W. F. Harry will make the necessary arrangements for, 
and superintend the firing from Cajntol hill, Brigadier General G. A. De Russy 
that from the works south, and Lieutenant Colonel J. A. Hoskin that from those 
north of the Potomac. 

■»*»**» «- * 

By command of Major General Augur, Carroll II. Pott£R, A. A. G. 

193 



THE FEDERAL OITY. 

"Precisely at 12 m., on the aforesaid 2d day of December, 1863, the crowuing 
feature of the statue was started from the ground in front of the Capitol, by 
means of the steam hoisting apparatus which has been successfully used for the 
construction of the entire Dome, and in twenty minutes it reached the height of 
three hundred feet, when it was moved to its place, and firmly attached to the 
remaining portion of the figure; as soon as it was properly adjusted, the Ameri- 
can flag was unfurled over its head, and the national salute was fired, in accord- 
ance with the foregoing programme of Major General Augur. The effect was 
thrilling, and grateful to every loyal heart." 

In 1 866 the plaster model of the statue of Freedom, from which 
the bronze figure was cast, was set upon a wooden pedestal in 
the old Hall of the House ot Representatives.''^ It was thus 
brought within the range of ordinary vision, and, in sublime 
majesty, challenged admiration, bringing to mind the descrip- 
tion the prophet Daniel gives, when he recalls to the remeni: 
brance of the tyrant Nebuchadnezzar, the fearful dream which 
had troubled him : " Thou, king, sawcst a great image, whose 
brightness was excellent ; and the form thereof was terrible." 

The statue is not " La Liberte " according to the French idea, 
with blood-red-cap and torch, and eyes a-flame with incendi- 
ary desire — a wild iconaclast .let loose to destroy; but, it is 
grand and majestic, and human-looking, with great earnest 
eyes whose intense gaze might well inspire hope and courage in 
trembling, down-trodden men. Her head is studded with stars ; 
and the Eagle's beak and feathers, ornament the helmet-like 
cap she wears. 

The following interesting incident connected with this model 
is narrated by Mr Fisk Mills, a son of the artist and founder 
Clark Mills. The story has been variously told and published, 
but the true narrative is as now given. 

Before the statue was cast, the several large sections of the 
plaster model were put together so nicely by an adroit Italian 
employed about the Capitol, that no crevices were perceptible at 
the places of joining — the bolts were all firmly riveted inside, 
and where they were placed concealed by coverings of plaster. 
In this condition the model was for some time on exhibition. 

At length the time arrived when the figure was desired to 

* This model, much to the regret of the public, was taken apart and removed 
to the Cryj)t, in 1868. 

101 



THE F 10 D E 11 A L CITY. 

be cast, and the Italian was ordered to take the model apart. 
This he positively refused to do, unless he was given a large 
increase of wages, and secured employment for a number of 
years. He said, he alone "knew how to separate it," and 
would do so only upon such conditions. 

Mr. Mills at that time owned a highly intelligent mulatto 
slave named Philip Reed, who had long been employed about 
his foundry as an expert and admirable workman. 

Philip undertouk to take the model apart without injury, 
despite the Italian's assertion, and proceeded to accomplish his 
purpose. His plan of working was this : a pulley and tackle 
was brought into use, and its hook inserted into an iron eye 
aflixed to the head of the figure — the rope was then gently 
strained repeatedly until the uppermost joining of the top 
section of the model began to make a faint appearance. This 
gave some indication as to the whereabouts of its bolts inside, 
and lead to their discovery ; and thus, finally, one, after another 
of the sections, was discovered, their bolts unloosed, and the 
model, uninjured, made ready for the foundry. 

Mr. Reed, the former slave, is now in business for himself, 
and highly esteemed by all who know liim. 



Through the politeness of Mr. B. B. French Jr., I have been 
shown a photograph of the first model of the figure as designed 
originally by Mr. Crawford. It represented a female crowned 
with laurel bearing in her hand a huge olive branch, and ap- 
pears tame compared with the statue afterwards decided upon 
and now crowning the Dome. 

Jefferson Davis was Secretary of War when the figure was 
being executed, and the duty of "superintending the building 
of the Capitol" was then under his charge That (hity now 
devolves upon the Secretary of the Interior. 

There was a long correspondence between Mr. Crawford and 
Jefferson Davis aboui this figure. The war secretary objected 
to the wreath. The artist then proposed to put a liberty c:;p 

19c 



THE FEDEKAL CITY. 

upon it. This the man in power also objected to, "Because it 
was the historical emblem of a freed slave, and," he said, 
"ought not to be there ! " 

The statue as we- now have it was at last approved, but why, 
nine stars instead of thirteen, constitute the coronal that sur- 
rounds its head, I have not been able to ascertain. 



Under date of October, 1855, Mr. Crawford wrote to Captain 
M. C. Meigs, at that time U. S. Engineer in charge of the Cap- 
itol, Jefferson Davis being Secretary of War : 

" I have said the statue represents ' armed Liberty.' *She rests upon the shield 
of our country, the triumph of which, is ^made apparent by the wreath lield in the 
same hand which grasps the shield ; in her right hand she holds the sheathed 
sword, to show the fight is over for the present, but ready for use whenever 
required. The stars upon her brow indicate her heavenly origin ; her position 
upon the globe represents her protection of the American world — the justice of 
whose cause is made apparent by the emblems supporting it." 

Mr, Crawford again wrote under date of March 18, 1856 : 

"I read with much pleasure the letter of the honorable vSecretary, (Jefferson 
Duvis,) and Ins remarks have induced me to dispense with the 'cap' and put in its 
place a helmet, the crest of which is composed of an eagle's head and a bold ar- 
rangement of feathers, suggested by the costume of our Indian tribes." 

* It was alter changes subsequently maJo in the statue that the name to be given it was 
decided to be the '' Statue of Freedom." 

196 



THE CRYPT AND TOMB, 

THE CRVPT TOMB PREPARED FOR THE REMAINS OP WASHINGTON UNDERNEATH 

THE ROTUNDA — CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTION ON THE SUBJECT 

SPEECHES OF HENRY CLAY, DANIEL WEBSTER, JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, ETC. 

ACTION OF THE STATE OF VIRGINIA GREENOUGh'S STATUE OF WASHINGTON. 

ImmediA-TEIY beneath the Eotunda is a large low chamber 
of circular shape, enclosing 40 massive Doric columns. These 
columns are arranged in circular rows supporting groined 
arches. Like the Rotunda it is paved with Seneca stone, and in 
appearance is similar to the substructures of European cathe- 
drals. This apartment is called the Crypt, and even in day- 
time is so dark that a light is usually kept burning. 

Underneath the centre of the Crypt is a small vaulted 
chamber originally prepared to receive the remains of General 
"Washington. This vault is accessible to the public. Strangers 
making application to any of the Capitol Police, always in at- 
tendance in the building, will be conducted to it. The tomb 
has a light constantly burning inside, in the shape of a star. * 

An additional interest has been recently given to this vaulted 
chamber, from the fact that within it has been deposited the 
Catafalco, upon which the remains of the martyred Lincoln 
were placed, while lying in state in the Rotunda, previous 
to their removal to the cemetry at Springfield. 

The history of the building of this tomb, and the reason of 
the failure of its being used as designed, will probably prove 
interesting to the reader. 

General Washington died, Saturday, December 14, 1799. 
The news of his death was received by Congress, then sitting 
in Philadelphia, on Wednesday, the 18th," upon which it imme- 
diately adjourned. The next morning the Speaker's chair was 
ordered to be shrouded with black, as also the Senate chamber, 
and it was resolved that the members of both houses wear 
black during the session. 



* The constant burning of this light, because of several ga.s explosions, has been discon- 
tinued. It ii now lighted only while persons visit the tomb. 

107 



"THE FEDERAL CITY. 

On December 24, the following Resolution, (one of a series 
unanimously passed by Congress) was approved : — 

• ' Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 
America, i?i Congress assembled. That a marble monument be erected by the 
United States in the Capitol, at the City of Washington ; and that the family of 
General Washington be requested to permit his body to be deposited under it : 
and that the monument be so designed as to commemorate the great events of 
his military and political life." 

President John Adams transmitted to Mrs. Washington, by 
his private Secretary, Mr. Shaw, a letter of condolence, 
with this request of Congress, from whom he received the fol- 
lowing reply, which was laid before both Houses, January 
8, 1800. 

■'The President op the United States: 

"Sir — While I feel with Iceenest anguish the late dispensation of Divine Provi- 
dence, I cannot be insensible to the mournful tributes of respect and veneration 
which are paid to the memory of my dear deceased husband ; and, as his best 
services, and most anxious wishes, were always devoted to the welfare and happi- 
ness of his country, to know that they were truly appreciated and gratefully re- 
membered affords no inconsiderable consolation. 

"T:;ught by the great example which I have so long bad before me, never to 
oppose my private wishes to the public will, I must consent to the request made 
by Congress which you have had the goodness to transmit to me ; and, in doing 
this, I need not, I cannot, say what a sacrifice of indi.vidual feeling I make to a 
sense of public duty. 

" With grateful acknowledgments, and unfeigned thanks, for the personal re- 
spect and evidences of condolence, expressed by Congress and yourself, 1 remain, 
very respectfully, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 

" Martha Washi.nt.tox."' 

The subject rested for a long period. In Feb. 16, 1816, Mr. 
Huo:er, of South Carolina, who had been a member of Con- 
gross in 1799, revived attention to it, and earnestly desired 
Congress to fulfil its solemn engagement. His efforts resulted 
in the appointment of a Joint Committee to whom the subject 
was referred, but nothing really furthering the object was 
accomplished. 

During that same montli, and Mr. Huger, because of it, had 
been induced to his course of action, the legislature of Virginia 

108 



T II 13 FEDERAL CITY. 

autliorizeil Governor Nicholas to make application to Judge 
Buslirod Washington, the proprietor of Mount Vernon, for the 
remains of his illustrious relative, with those of Mrs. Wash- 
ington, to be deposited under the monument proposed to be 
erected to the memory of General Washington in the city of 
Eichmond. 

Judge Washington declined complying with this request, 
and among other reasons assigned the following : — 

"But oblirrations more sacred than anything which concerns myself — obliga- 
tions with which I cannot dispense — command me to retain the mortal remains 
of my venerated uncle in the family vault where they are deposited. It is his own 
will, and thai will is to mc a laxo which I dare not disobey. He has himself directed 
his body should be placed there, and I cannot separate it from those of his near 
relatives, by which it is surrounded." 

The following is the portion of the will of Washington rel- 
ative to the disposal of his remains, alluded to in the letter of 
his nephew : — 

" The family vault at Mount Vernon requiring repairs, and being improperly 
situated besides, I desire that a new one of .brick, and upon a larger scale, may 
be built at the foot of what is commonly called the Vineyard Enclosure, on the 
ground which is marked out ; in which my remains, with those of my deceased 
relations (now in the old vault), and such others of my family as may choose to 
be entombed there, may be deposited. And it is my express desire, that my 
corpse may be interred in a private manner, without parade or funeral oration." 

While building the centre portion of the Capitol, the archi- 
tect did not lose sight of what had been the expressed desire 
of the nation, and a vault was constructed to receive the sacred 
deposite of the remains of Washington. 



Another sixteen years rolled away, and the intention of the 
Congress of 1799 still remained unfulfilled. The centennial 
anniversary of the birthday of Washington, Feb, 22, 1832, was 
at hand. The public sentiment of the country, awakened to 
the highest degree throughout the wide Union, sought to honor 
his memory by every possible display of gratitude and res})ect 
upon that day. Congress caught the ardor of the time, 

199 



THE FEDERAT. CITY. 

and ag.'iin attempted legislation on the subject of the removal 
of the. remains of Washington. 

Feb. 13, 1832, the two Houses of Congress appointed a Joint 
Committee to make arrangements for celebrating the approach- 
ing centennial birthday of George Washington. Henr}^ Clay 
was chairman on the part of the Senate, and Philemon Thomas. 
of La., chairman on the part of the House. 

Chief Justice Marshall was invited by the Committee to de- 
liver an oration, but ho declined upon the plea that his voice 
had become so weak as to be almost inaudible even in a room 
of small dimensions. 

The Committee also recommended a Resolution proposing 
that application be made "to. John A. Washington [the then 
proprietor of Mount Vernon] for the body of George Wash- 
ington, to be removed and deposited in the Capitol, at Washing- 
ton City, in conformity with the Resolutions of Congress of the 
24th Dec, 1799; and that, if they obtain the requisite consent 
to the removal thereof, they be further authorized to cause it to 
be removed and deposited in the Capitol on the 22d day of Feb. 
1832." It was also provided that the presiding officers of the 
Senatt! and House should prescribe the order of ceremonies for 
the occasion, and that the two Houses should attend them. 

lu the Senate Mr. Clay introduced the Resolutions in an im- 
pressive speech, in concluding which, he said : — 

'' It is my opiniou that the unredeemed pledge of Congress should be fulfilled ; 
and no time could ever occur, at least during the present generation, more proper 
than the present to redeem that pledge. The Committee do not and cannot doubt 
that the familj- of General Washington at Mount Vernon will be willing to yield 
their assent to the object of the Resolution. I would beg leave to state, iu addi- 
tion, that those who were intrusted with the erection of the Capitol had already 
provided a Vault, under the centre of the Rotunda, for the express purpose : not 
by authority, I believe, but on their own suggestion and sense of propriety ; 
and, if there was no objection in this or the other House, the Committee would 
proceed to make the arangements for the ceremony." 

An animating debate arose. Mr, Forsyth, of Ga., was against 
the Resolution because he considered it opposed to the express 
wish of General Washington as contained in his will. Messrs. 
Tazewell and [John] Tyler, senators from Va., were decidedly 

200 



THE F E D E R A T. CI T Y . 

opposed to the removal, while Messrs. Sprague, and Holmes, 
of Me., Mr. Bibb, of Ky., and Daniel Webster, spoke in favor 
of it. Mr. Webster said : — 

"Since the subject has been brought before us, and we are called on to decide 
upon carr3-ing into effect the resolution of 1799, it seems to me that this is the 
most proper time to redeem the pledge then given. It is a century since the birth 
of General Washington, and we shall have no opportunity' so appropriate as the 
present, of giving a degree of imposing solemnity to the proceedings. There 
was something also appropriate in this case, in executing the designs of the old 
Congress in the mode proposed, without form and parade, and in accordance with 
the wishes of the deceased, which met with bis hearty concurrence. The religious 
services, also proposed, appeared peculiarly suited to thcsolcmnity of the occasion." 

The vote being taken in the Senate, stood 29 yeas to 15 nays. 
George M. Dallas, of Pa., afterward Vice President, voted nay. 

In the House, debate upon the subject was more stormy, and 
took a wide range. Numerous speeches were made in favor of, 
and against, the measure. In the discussion, the probability of 
the secession of the southern States from the Union, was gravely 
asserted, and the argument advanced, that, in such case, Vir- 
ginia ought not to stand dispossessed of her right to the honored 
dust of her most illustrious son. 

The venerable John Quincy Adams, towards the close of the 
discussion, made the following remarks : — 

" f rise to make a single observation, and that only in consequence of an objec- 
tion which I consider as really the strongest which has been urged, and which 
has been repeated in several quarters of the House. It is, that the execution of 
this resolve would be a violation of the will of George Washington himself. 
Could I consider it as any violation of that will, anxiously as I desire that the 
resolution might pass, I should myself vote against it. But General Washington, 
at the time he was making the disposition of his body, had not, and could not 
have the question before him, which is now under discussion in this House. 
Was it for him to provide for thex;rcction of his own monument? Did it com- 
port with his character to resist the wishes of his universal country ? Such was 
not the character of his mind. Approaching the end of life, it became a part of 
his duty to dispose of his body. It was true he had apprehended that there would 
be some attempt at ceremony, that some oration migiit be proposed at his funeral, 
and his natural modesty led him \o object to it. He made the usual i)rovi»ion for 
his interment. What else could he have done ? But had the idea been presented 
to his mind, of thirteen millions of freemen uniting to perform an act of venera- 
tion, such !is is now proposed, it was not to be believed thai he would havo 

201 



THE FEDERA.L CITY. 

made any provision in his will to prevent it. He would have left this, as he did 
all other things respecting himself, to the decision of his country. And if, from 
that place in the skies, where I firmly believe he now abides, he were capable of 
looking flown upon us, I am confident he would be gratified by the execution of 
this res(Jlve." 

The vote in the House stood 109 for, and 76 against, the 
Resolutions reported by the Joint Committee. 

On the ensuing day, the House adopted a Joint Resolution, 
concurred in by the Senate, for associating the remains of Mrs. 
Washington with those of her husband in the intended disin- 
terment and removal. 

Information of the action of Congress was immediatel}'' trans- 
mitted, officially, to the proprietor of Mount Yeruon, and to Mr. 
George AVashington Parke Custis, of Arlington, Ya., the grand- 
son of Mrs. Washington, and asking permission of them to 
make the desired removal. From Mr. Custis an answer was at 
once received, giving his willing assent to the proposal. His 
note is of the same day, Feb. 14, 1832. In it, he says: — 

" I give my most hearty consent to the removal of the remains, after the man- 
ner requested, and congratulate the government upon the approaching consum- 
mation of a great act of national gratitude." 

The note from Mr. John A. Washington, dated Feb. 15, 
was of an opposite tenor, and declined compliance with the 
desire of Congress. The following is an extract from it : — 

" When I recollect that his will, in respect to the disposition of his remains, 
has been recently carried into full effect, and that they now repose in perfect tran- 
quillity surrounded by those of other endeared members of the family, I hope 
Congress will do justice to the motives which seem to me to require that I should 
not consent to their separation." 

This denial, of course, ended Federal legislation on the sub- 
ject; and, on motion of Mr. Thomas, the correspondence was 
placed on the Journal, that it might be on record, that the Con- 
gress of 1832, had done all in its power to carry out the long 
delayed execution of what was manifestly the desire of the 
nation. 

202 




G R E E i\ U G H ' S W A S II I IS G T N 



THE FEDERAL C T T Y . 

Notwitlistanding this settlement of tlie question, the Legisla- 
ture of Virginia, Feb. 20, 1832, at the suggestion of Governor 
John Flo3''cl, Sr., unanimously passed the following : — 

"Rcsolveil, That the proiirictors he earnestly requested, in the name of the peofile 
of this State, not to consent to the retnoval of the remains of General Washinjr- 
ton from Mount Vernon." 

Governor Floyd appointed Judges Brooke and Marshall, with 
Major James Gibbon, to communicate this action of the State 
to Consfress. * 



Disappointed in the endeavor thus to honour the memory 
of Washington, Congress, almost immediately afterward, order- 
ed the painting, by Vanderlyn, of the first President of the 
United States, which now hangs on the ea.st side of the Speak- 
ers chair in the Hall of Representatives. The instruction 
given to the artist was, that the face should be a copy of 
Stuart's portrait, and the rest of the picture according to his 
own judgment. 

The order for the statue of Washington, by Greenough, was 
also determined upon about the same time. The intention was, 
that it should be placed in the centre of the Rotunda, 
immediately over the tomb which had been prepared for the 
reception of Washington's remains. Mr, Greenough was in- 
structed, by Resolution of Congress, that the head should be 
a copy of Houdon's statue, while the accessories were left to 
his own discretion and taste. 

Horatio Greenough was the first native American sculptor to 
whom an order was given for a work to adorn the national 
Capitol, At that time, 1832, he was 27 years old, and his 
growing reputation, which gave brighter promise with every 
new product from his chisel, was hailed with sympathetic pride 
by his countrymen. 

The Hon, Alexander H, Everett, who.se opinion upon works 
of art — notwithstanding his modest disclaimer — is regarded 
as authoritative, wrote of Greenough 's Washington : — 

* See "Remarks on iMonumeiital t=tructnres." etc., by Josep'i B. Varnuin, jr. All that 
Mr. Varnum has wiitten relative to the city of Washington is of great value, and I acknow- 
ledge with gratitude very frequent indebtedness to him. 3. d. w. 

205 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

"I make no pretensions to connoisseurship in the art of sculpture, and judgo 
of the merit of the work merely b}' the impression which it makes upon mx owr. 
mind ; but 1 can say for myself, that, after seeing the most celebrated specimens 
of ancient and modern art to be found in Europe, includinsr the Laocoon and the 
Apollo Belvidere, with the finest productions of Canova, Thorwaldsen, Serjiell, 
and Chantry, I consider the Washington of Greenough as superior to any of them, 
and as the master-piece of the art. The hint seems to have been taken from the 
Olympian Jupiter of Phidias, who said himself that he had caught the inspiration 
under which he had conceived that great glory of ancient sculpture, from a pas- 
sage in the Iliad. In this way the noble work of Greenough connects itself, by 
the legitimate filiation of kindred genius, transmitting its magnetic impulses 
through the long lines of intervening centuries, with the poetry of Homer." * 

Greenougli's statue of Washington was executed in Italy, 
and finished in 1840. Upon its arrival in the. United States, 
it was placed, as had been intended, in the Rotunda, then cov- 
ered with its first low Dome ; but, among other reasons, the 
light being found unfavorable, it was removed to the grounds 
east of the Capitol, where it now stands. 

Referring to this transfer from the shelter of the Rotunda, 
Mr. Greenough wrote : — 

" Had I been ordered to make a statue for any square or similar situation at the 
Metropolis, I should have represented Washington on horseback, and in bis actual 
dress I would have made mj- work purely an historical one. I have treated the 
subject poetically, and confess I should feel pain at seeing it placed in direct and 
flagrant contrast with every day life. Moreover, I modelled the figure without 
reference to an exposure to rain and frost, so that there are many parts of the 
statue where the water would collect and soon disintegrate and rot the stone, if it 
did not, by freezing, split off large fragments of the drapery." f 

The information given in the latter portion of this remon- 
strance it would be well to heed. A crack in the marble chair, 
in which the figure sits, is now clearly discernible. How soon 
other destructive signs will develop cannot be foretold.| 

* See " Federal City," pp. 42-44. 

t In confirmation of the above, it may be >tated that rain and moisture accumulate lo such 
a degree in the cavities of the drapery of the statue, that the birds come there to drink and 
bathe as to a fountain. 

tMr. Greeiioii£;h n ceived r-'O.OOO for this statue while working upon it. Two other bills, 
of costs, in connection with it, were also paid him, amounting to $10,43.^85. The e.vpense 
of its transportation from Italy, and of its erection in the Rotunda, of its subsequent removal, 
and of the pedestal upon which it now sits, must have ab<;orbed at least §13,00U more. 

Mr. FColburn .\dam3, in " Art in the District of folumbia," relates much that is inter- 
esting of this, and of other works, in the Capitol. No one, unless he also has attempted 
kindred investigation, can conceive the amount of labor required to obtain so much infor 
mation as is presented in this small pamphlet of Mr. Adams. 

20G 



MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

COPY OV IIOCDON'S WASHINGTON BUST OF KOSCIOZKO OF PULASKI WILL OP 

KOSCIUZKO — THE DYING TECUMSEH — ROTHERMEL'S PICTURE OF CHRISTIAN MAR- 
TYRS IN THE COLISEUM — LINCOLN MEMOIUAL-STONK SENT FROM ROME — DAILY 

OSCILLATION OP THE DOME — WHISPERING GALLERY UNDERNEATH THE CANOPY 

COST OF LIGHTING THE CAPITOL — DIMENSIONS AND COST OP THE CAPITOL, ETC. 

For many years several pieces of statuary stood in the Ro- 
tunda, which were removed, in 1866, to the vacated old Hall of 
the House. They had been long identified with the Capitol, while, 
in fact, only a marble bust of Kosciuszko is government property. 

In 1868, an order passed Congress that works of art not be- 
longing to government should no longer be exhibitetl in the 
Capitol. The pieces of statuary coming under this liead, (with 
the exception of a plaster cast of Houdon's Washington,) were 
consigned to the Crypt, where they await the order of their 
respective owners. 

houdon's WASHINGTON 

represents him in the uniform of an American Revolutionary 
officer, standing before a plow, with his left arm resting on a pil- 
lar of licto.r rods, flis head is uncovered. In h'.s riulit liiind is 
a cane, with tassel and cord. His cloak and militiirv eiia{,)X'iu 
are lying upon, and his sword is suspended iroin, tlic })illai'. 
The following is on the pedestal of the statue : 

The General Assembly of (he Conunouweahh 

of Virginia have causeil this ytaiue to be ercftcd, 

us a monument of afftctiou and j^raliuide to 

GEORGE WASHINGTON: 

who, uniting to the endowments of the Hero 

the virtues of the Patriot and exerting both 

in establishing the liberties of his Country 

has rendered his name dear to liis Fellow Citizens, 

and given the world an immortal example 

of true Glory. — Done in the year of 

CHRIST 

one thousand seven h\indred and eighty eight 

and in the year of the Commonwealth the twelfth. 

207 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

The original marble is in the State nouse of Virginia at 
Eichmoud. 

Houdon modelled his statue from life, and it therefore pos- 
sesses the severe accuracy of truth. Those who find fault with 
Greenough's representation because it idealizes the nation's 
hero, will not be inclined to complain, in this respect, of the 
earlier attempt of Houdon to preserve the likeness of the 
beloved Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary army of 
America. 

Permission was given by the Legislature of Virginia, to an 
ai'tist named Hubard, distinguished for having painted a master- 
ly portrait of Chief Justice Marshall, to make a copy of lloud- 
oa's work. To procure it, he resorted to the mechanical method 
of moulding the marble in plaster, profusely oiling the figure. 
Although he succeeded in obtaining an accurate impression of 
the original it resulted in permanently discoloring the marble. 

When a boy, this Hubard attracted great attention in Phila- 
delphia, New York, and other northern cities, by his skill in 
cutting likenesses in paper — called Fajyyrotamia. He was 
kindly rescued from the man who had him in charge, and who 
was making money off of him, by a number of gentlemen who 
perceived his ability ; he was provided for by them and placed 
under proper artist instruction. One of these gentlemen was 
the distinguished painter Inman. The boy at that time pro- 
nounced and spelled his name diiferently, and was known 
as " Master Hubbard." 



Jean Antoine Houdon was a French sculptor, born March 
20, 1741, at Versailles; died July 15, 1828, in Paris. He 
came to the United States with Franklin in 1785, for the 
express purpose of obtaining the model for his statue, and staid 
two weeks at Mount Vernon, the guest of Washington. 

According to La Fayette, and other cotemporaries of Wash- 
ington, "It is, in many respects, the truest representation ever 
made." The original piece of stone bears the inscription : Fait 
par Houdon, citoycn Francais, 1788. 

208 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

A plaster cast of Houdon's Washington was placed in the 
Capitol March 16, 1854, and has remained there ever since. 
It is the property of the ]\rr. Ilubard, of Richmond, before 
alluded to, and he proposed to furnish copies in bronze to the 
different States. 

What was really the personal appearance of General Wash- 
ington is a matter of interest to Americans. In relation to 
this, the following will probably be interesting. 

Edmund Quincy, in his life of his distinguished father, 
Jo.siah Quincy, says : 

" I was curious to know how my father's recollections of the personal appear- 
ance of Washington agreed with the popular descriptions and pictorial represent- 
ations of it, with which we are all familiar. He was not an imaginative man, and 
never dressed his heroes in the colors of fancy. No man had a profounder rever- 
ence for Washington than he, but this did not affect his perceptions of physical 
phenomena, nor his recollections of them. My mother, on the contrary, was 'of 
imagination all compact,' and Washington was in her mind's eye, as she recalled 
him, more than a hero — a superior being, as far above the common race of man- 
kind in majesty and grace of person and bearing as in moral grandeur. This was 
one of the few subjects on which m_y father and mother differed in opinion. He 
maintained that Stuart's portrait is a highly idealized one, presenting its great 
subject as the artist thought he ought to live in the minds of posterity, but not a 
strong resemblance of the actual man in the flesh. He always declared that the 
portrait by Savage, in the College dining-room in Harvard Hall, at Cambridge, 
was the best likeness he had ever seen of Washington, though its merits as a 
work of art are but small. With this opinion my mother could not away. Stu- 
art's Washington could hardly come up to the gracious figure that dwelt in her 
memory. One day, when talking over those times in his old age, I asked my 
fixther to tell me what were his recolleciions of Washington's personal appearance 
and bearing. ' I will tell you,' s.iid he, 'just how he struck me. He reminded 
me of the gentlemen who used to come to Boston in those days to attend the Gen- 
eral Court from Hampden or Franklin county, in the western part of the State. 
A little stiff in his person, not a little formal in his manners, not particularly at 
ease in the presence of strangers. He had the air of a country gentleman not 
acenstomed to mix much in society, perfectly polite, but not easv in his address 
and conversation, and not graceful in his gait and movements.' " 



The statuary placed in the Crypt consisted of a marble bust 
of " Pulaski," one of the sculptor Crawford, and a large re- 
cumbent statue of the " Dying Tecumseh." 

The bust of " Kosciuszco " still remains, and preparatory to 
a description of it we introduce a copy of the will of the Polish 
patriot. 

209 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 
WILL OF KOSCIUSZKO. 

The will of Gen. Tadeusz Kosciuzko was admitted to record, 
May 12, 1819, in the Clerk's office of the Circuit Court of Albe- 
marle, Va., Judge Archibald Steuart presiding. 

Ex- President Thomas Jefferson, that morning, walked into 
the little county court-house and stood opposite the judge, llis 
form was still stately and erect. Judge Steuart perceiving 
him bowed, and invited him to take a seat on the bench. Mr. 
Jefferson replied : 

"As soon as your Honor shall have leisure to attend to me, 
I have a matter of business which I wish to present to the 
court." 

Immediately, by consent of the parties concerned, further 
proceedings on the matter then before the court were suspended 
until Mr. Jefferson could be heard. He then took from his 
pocket a paper which he said was the will of his friend Gen. 
Tadeusz Kosciuszko ; that the will was written entirely in the 
handwriting of the testator ; he was well acquainted with his 
handwriting, and could testify on oath to the facts which he 
stated. 

The usual oath was then administered by the clerk, the ne- 
cessary interrogatories formally put, affirmatively answered, and 
the will was, by order of the court, admitted to record. 

Mr. Jefferson briefly stated that at his advanced age, it was 
not in his power to undertake the burden of the execution of 
the will, and thereupon declined to qualify as executor. 

THE WILL. 

I, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, being just in mj^ departure from America, do hereby 
declare and direct that should I make no other testamentary disposition of my 
property in the United States, I hereby authorize my friend Thomas Jt^erson to 
employ the whole thereof in purchasing Negroes from among his own or any 
others, and giving them liberty in my name ; in giving them en education in 
trades or otherwise, and in having them instructed for their new condition in the 
duties of morality which may make them good neighbors, good fathers or inodcrs, 
husbands or vives, and in their duties as citizens, teaching them to be defenders of 
their liberty and country and of the good order of society, and in whatsoever 
may make them happy and useful, arid I make the said Thomas Jefferson my 
executor of this. 

5th. day of May, 1798. T. KcsciDSZKO. 

210 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 
BUST OF KOSCrUSZKO. 

The bust of this eminent Polish officer, who aided in our 
Eevo] utionarj'- struggle, cannot but interest an American. The 
hero is adorned with a cross, and the insignia of various 
orders. The artist also was a Pole, and the American name he 
assumed Avas Saunders. The marble bears this name, and the 
date, 1857. 

Tadeusz KosciuszKO was born in Poland in 1755, and died 
at Soleure, Switzerland, in 1817. 

He was only twentj^-one years of age when he received, in 
1776, upon reaching this oountry, a commission in the Ameri- 
ican army as an officer of engineers. ELe however already had 
achieved a military reputation in Europe. Kosciuszco was the 
chief engineer in erecting the defences at West Point. 

When our freedom was won, he received the public thanks 
of Congress for his services, and subsequently returned to 
Europe, to risk his life again in endeavors to accomplish the 
liberty of his nation. 

His body lies in the cathedral of Cracow, beside Poniotowski, 
and Sobieski. There is a mound of earth near Cracow, 150 
feet high, raised to his memory, from supplies of earth brought 
by the people from every great battle-tield where soldiers of 
Poland fought and died. 

BUST OF PULASKI, 

A bust of Pulaski, very elaborate in its details of dress and 
ornament, had also a place in this grand room of the Capitol. 
It bore the inscription H. D. Mochowski, 1857, Philadelphia. 

The Polish patriot, Count Casimir Pulaski, was born in 17-17. 
After brilliant but fruitless attempts to free his native land 
from oppression, and himself an outlaw, he obtained refuge in 
France, lie there resolved to aid America, struggling to ob- 
tain freedom. Franklin, then in Paris, furnished him with 
recommendations to General Washington, and he arrived in 
Philadelphia in the summer of 1777. He first served as a 

211 



THE F E ]J E R A L CITY. 

volunteer, but four days after the battle of Brandywine, in 
wliich lie greatly distinguished himself, Congress appointed him 
commander of the cavalry, with the rank of Brigadier Generah 

He soon resigned this command, and, in the Spring of 1778, 
joined the main army at Valley Forge. Here, under authority 
of Congress, he organized an independent corps, consisting of 
cavalry, lancers, and light infantry, and marched Feb. 9, 1779, 
to South Carolina, to put himself under the command of Gen- 
eral Lincoln. He reached Charleston May 8. 

In September, the French, under Count d'Estaing, and the 
Americans, prepared to besiege Savannah, and during the 
march Pulaski's legion perfornaed effectual service in recon- 
noitring. The two armies, on Oct. 9, determined to carry the 
city by assault. Pulaski was placed at the head of the French 
and American cavalry, and during the engagement received a 
mortal wound. He was taken on board the United States brig 
Wasp, and, after lingering two days, died Oct. 11, 1779 ; he 
was buried in the Savannah river. 

Congress voted a monument to his memory, which has never 
been erected, but one was raised in Savannah by the citizens of 
Georgia, of which La Fayette laid the* corner stone in 1824, 
during his last visit to this country. 



The artist Saunders, or Mochowski, was the same individual, 
and a patriotic Pole. He possessed marked ability in the cut- 
ting of medallion likenesses, and was extensively patronized in 
this branch of his art, not only in Washington, but in other 
leading American cities. He eventuall}' returned to Poland, 
where he obtained a contract from government to execute a 
colossal statue of one of the grand heroes of his nation. It was 
never finished, as he died fighting ibr his country during the 
last unsuccessflil rising of patriots in that down-trodden land. 

212 



THE FEDERAL CITY 



THE DYING TECUM SEH 

Is a huge piece of sculpture representing that famous Indian 
chief shot in battle. 

This work was exhibited in the Capitol to sell, and the priee 
asked for it" was $10,000. The artist was an Italian, and it 
bears the inscription : "Tecumseh, grand chief of the Western 
Indians: fell in the Battle of the Thames, 1813. Peftrich o 
figli: sculp: 1856." 

Soldiers, particularly, seemed to admire this specimen of the 
chisel. The warrior, with the death wound in his fc^rehead, is 
in the act of falling, and the last agony is passing over his 
frame. Colonel Richard M. Johnson, once Vice President of 
the United States, is said to have given his approval as to the 
correctness of the details of the work. 

Tecumseh, a Shawuees Indian chief, was born about 1770. 
He was bitter in hate, and powerful in his hostility against the 
government of the United States. A brother, born at the 
same birth, who became a prophet of great authority, combined 
conjointly with him in forming a fearful alliance of the Western 
and Northern tribes of Indians against the American whites. 

Tecumseh connnandcd all the Indians who cooperated with 
the British against us in the war of 1812, 'lo, and was made a 
Brigadier General by that power. He was killed Oct. 5, 1813, 
in the Battle of the Thames. 

The successes obtained over this Indian shed an early 
lustre upon the nan;ie of Andrew Jackson, and also helped to 
make General Harrison, the hero of Tippecanoe, (fought Nov. 
7, 1811,) President. It was against his machinations too, that 
General Zachary Taylor first distinguished himself. Colonel 
Johnson, in part, probably owed his elevation to the Vice Pres- 
idency, to the circumstance of having obtained the reputation 
ol" firing the fatal ball which killed him. The fact of his having 
really shot Tecumseh is gravely questioned. 

:J13 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 
''cnmSTIAN MARTYRS IN THE COLISEUM." 

This painting by P. F. Rothermel hung for a long while in 
the Eotunda. Althougli removed in 1866, it is thought a de- 
scription of it would revive to many a pleasant reminiscence 
of a fine work of American^art. 

The idea of the picture is a reflex of Roman civilization, 
during the height of Rome's imperial power. The era about 
two hundred years after the birth of Christ. 

The scene is the ante - chamber occupied by men and 
women about to be torn to pieces by hungry beasts, because 
they believe in. Jesus, the crucified Teacher of Nazareth, who 
was a condemned Roman malefactor. 

Through arched openings behind them is a dim view of 
the interior of the Coliseum, crowded with spectators, and a 
man in combat with, and almost overpowered by, a lion. The 
insatiate audience is still athirst for blood, and other victims 
are to be thrown into the dread arena. The Coliseum was 
capable of seating 80,000 persons, and was generally crowded 
with all classes, patrician and plebeian, to witness gladiatorial 
fights, and the more exciting combats of Christians with wild 
beasts — remorseless cruelty was an ingredient of Roman civil- 
ization ; rapacity, sensualism, and the enslavement of con- 
quered races, the food which nursed it -into strength. 

Near a grated archway, a terror-stricken woman stands, ap- 
palled by the cruel sight she is forced to see, her hands raised 
to her head, her whole appearance the phrenzy of distraction. 
A full grown boy, his face towards the _ arena, seems to be 
clinging to her in terror. 

Looming hugely in the obscure light, a Roman soldier is 
pointing to the scene within, with one hand, and holding in the 
other the fasces, a bundle of rods with an axe in it, the emblem 
of his authority. His colossal figure seems the ruling demon 
of the place ; and he is directing his comrades to prepare 
another victim for the fearful encounter. 

This victim is a young and beautiful niaiden. The rutlilet-s 
hands of soldiers are already laid upon her. Thus sur- 
rounded, her face, lit with pious heroism, tells of a support 

211 . 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

that is beyond, and above, earth. Religious fervor, all aglow 
shines there, as a star of hope, amid the desponding gloom of 
the dreary prison. At her side, kneels her lover, clasping 
with his hands one of her hands — with the other she holds the 
drapery over her breast. A manacled boy, with a face of des- 
perate despair, and a girl, crouched on the floor, in the fore- 
ground, appear to be brother and sister. Near them, a mother 
clasps a child to her bosom. 

Inmiediately in front, and perhaps most conspicuous in the 
picture, a group is sketched, so sad, that to look upon it makes 
the heart ache. A young mother lies fainting on the stone floor 
wdiile her beautiful babe caresses with its tiny hand her pallid 
face and neck, and is smiling unconscious of the misery 
around. This wretched mother is the wife of the man Avho is 
fighting with the lion. Her old father supports her listless 
arm, and her mother her head. A look of agony is on his 
face, v.'hile the aged mother, stricken with grief, lifts her eyes to 
heaven for help — another child, kneeling, nestles in her bosom. 

This picture was finished in 1863. 

The grouping, drapery, and general scenic efiects, are artistic 
and admirable. An intensity of emotion, expressed in every line 
of the composition, almost painfully, arrests sympathy, while 
the heart instinctively takes in high moi'al teachings. 

Gazing on it, as memory recalls the story of the Decline and 
Fall of the world-wide empire, the blood-red eye of the Roman 
Eagle seems to look out from the past, a fearful phantasm that 
once held the world in awe. Because her strong wings battled 
against human rights, shorn of her strength, baffled, w^eltering, 
in the contest, she perished. 

No wings are so strong, no talons are so fierce, no beak is 
so sharp, as to come off a final victor in such a war. The fiat 
of the Fates, nay, the fiat of GoD, is against it. Only in the 
blue of His pure sky starred with all human hopes, borne 
aloft by truest faith in redeemed humanity, can the Bird of 
Empire fly and soar, until the time shall come, foretold by 
seer and prophet, when, "we, according to His promise, 
look for a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." 

215 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 
STATUE OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 

This statue was received at the Capitol, from Rome, in 18(3S. 
and is now placed in the Old Hall. It is the work of Dr. Ho- 
ratio Stone, of "Washington city, and cost $10,000. 

It stands on an appropriate marble pedestal, Avhich also ema- 
nated from the artist, and which is, itself, a work of merit. On 
its front is sketched, in outline, an allegorical composition in- 
tended to represent the consummation by Hamilton of the great 
work of the Revolution — the adoption of the Federal Constitu- 
tion. In it the symbols of Union are being set up. Hamilton 
is crowning them with the Constitution, thus creating the First 
President, who is taking the oath of office on the dais below. 
The figures introduced of grand revolutionary notables are 
admirably drawn, and the accessories are harmonious as well 
as appropriate. Among the most striking is the bearing away 
of the escutcheon of the mother-country to make room for that 
of the new-born Republic. 

The statue represents the man. It reproduces character, for, 
struck out of the marble, there seems to stand before you the 
living statesman. 

" The object of the artist in conception and execution," says 
an admirable art critic, " has been to embody the spirit of, and 
represent as being enacted, the grandest work of Hamilton's 
political career, namely : the causing of the adoption of the 
Constitution. The statue represents the soldier- statesman as 
holding The Federalist papers in his right hand, with which he 
points toward the Constitution resting under his left hand, and 
in the act of saying: 'Accept the Constitution and become a 
nation ! then you may set up the fasces as a veritable symbol of 
Union and its consequent national power.' The fasces are 
shown upon the corner-stone of a section of the Temple of Free- 
dom, which, as an accessory, supports the figure. The statue 
is heroic in size, and is cut from a piece of marble of remark- 
able purity and perfection. Its costume is that of the revolu- 

21() 



T n i: F E D E n A I, city 



tionary period, and the joose of the figure is at once dignified, 
graceful, and natural." 



Alexander Hamilton was born in the island of Nevis, "West 
Indies, Jan. 11, 1757; died in New York July 12, 1804, from 
the effect of a wound received in a duel fought with Aarou 
Burr the previous day. 

Hamilton was regarded as the great exponent of Federal 
principles and party, and towered a giant among the proud in- 
intellects of our Revolutionary period. Strange it is that one 
gifted as he was deemed it necessary or right to risk lil'e, or 
suppose honor could be vindicated, by an appeal to the murder- 
, ous code of the duelist. 

LINCOLN MEMORIAL-STONE SENT FROM ROME. 

In the Crypt, near a window admitting a faint light, is placed 
a jagged antique stone, on which is the inscription : 

ABRAHAMO • LINCOLNIO • 

REGION • FOEDERAT • AMERIC ' PRAESIDI . II • 

HVNC • EX • SEBVl • TVLlI • AGGEKE • LAPIDEM • 

QCO • VTRIVSQVE • 

LIBKBTATIS ' ADSERTORIS * FORTISS • 

MEMORIA • CONIVNGATVR • 

CIVES . ROMANI • 

D 
A . MDCCCLXV. 

The following is a literal translation of the above : 

To Abraham Lincoln * 

[of the] country [of] confederate America president [ihe] second [time] 

this (from Servius Tullius' wall) stone 

in order that of either freedom's assertor boldest 

[the] memory might be joined 

[the] citizens Romaa 

consecrated 

1865. 

217 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

This stone was sent from Rome to the White House, where 
it arrived shortly after the assassination of Mr. Lincpln. It 
lay for a long time neglected, and perhaps overlooked, in a 
waste room of the Executive Mansion. When the discovery 
of its existence was made public, it was ordered to be placed 
in the Capitol — a touching tribute of respect to the American 
emancipator, and it doubtless would have gratified his own 
great kindly heart had his living eyes ever rested upon it. 



Servius Tullius was sixth King of Eome, and reigned forty- 
four years — from 578 to 53i B. C. He was himself assassi- 
nated — a coincidence in the history of the two not dreamed of 
when the stone was shipped to the New World. His nama 
indicated his servile origin, as his mother was a slave. He was 
brought up in the family of the King Tarquinius Priscus, and 
much related of him is doubtless fabulous. He was, however, 
married to one of the daughters of the king, and, after the vio- 
lent death of Tarquinius, assumed sovereign power. 

His reign was not marked by great military exploits, (al- 
though in early manhood he had distinguished himself in sev- 
eral battles,) but for his interest in the welfare of the common 
people, whose rights he endeavored to secure by just laws. In 
all after time, when oppressed by the aristocracy, the Roman 
commons reflected with fond regret upon the memory of the 
"good King Servius Tullius and his just laws." The constitu- 
tion v/hich he established was swept away entirely during the 
reign of his successor, Tarquin, the Tyrant, whose iniquitous 
conduct led to the inauguration of the Roman Republic. 

Servius Tullius extended the boundary of the city of Rome, 
and surrounded it with a wall of defence, from which wall the 
memorial-stone sent to President Lincoln was taken. The con- 
stitution of Servius Tullius was regarded by the Romans as 
the basis of their civil and political institutions, and the ple- 
beians especially considered him the great protector of their 
order. 

218 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 
MOSAIC OF LINCOLN. 

In a. room attached to the Library of Congress hangs a mo- 
saic portrait of President Lincoln, the gift to the United Statea 
of Signor Salviati, of Venice. 

This portrait is composed of hundreds of variously colored 
atoms, put- together with care and admirable skill, involving 
vast labor. It is another tribute of esteem rendered from for- 
eign lands to the President-emancipator. 

Signor Salviati, of Venice, is, at present, the great manufac- 
turer of mosaic work in Italy. He has a large number of 
workmen in his employ, many of whom are acknowledged 
artists. 

It is said, to do this sort of work it is necessary to have no 
fewer than ten thousand different tints to select from of the 
particles used, termed tessera' or smalt I. These must all be 
kept methodically arranged and sorted. The probable mer- 
cantile value of this mosaic of President Lincoln is about one 
thousand dollars. 

DAILY OSCILLATION OF THE DOME, ETC. 

The immensity and strength of the Dome is the amazement 
and admiration of all visitors. (See page 116; also Photograph 
of Section through Dome of U. S. Capitol prefacing text ) 
The original foundations upon which the old Dome was built 
were retained, and upon them the new superstructure is raised. 

Above the outer colonnade, and resting directly over and 
bearing upon the strong foundations, thirty-six immense ribs of 
iron ascend, of a semi-ellipsoidal shape. These are the skele- 
ton of the huge creation. Hundreds upon hundreds of iron 
panels, with clamps and screws innumerable, riveted into one 
circuit of architectural symmetry around these metal ribs, con- 
stitute the Dome. 

The influence of the sun upon this vast iron structure is 
great, and he sways its 450,Cy30 tons weight in his diurnal 
march even as he causes the fragile sunflower to bend her head 

219 



^^b 



b 



THE FEDERAL C I T i' . 

und follow in his flaming path. This fact has been tested by 
interesting vibratory experiments, made in August, 1865, by 
Mr. B. B. French, jr., civil engineer, in conjunction with Pro- 
fessor Henry, of the Smithsonian Institution. The experiments 
indicated that the Dome oscillated a distance of between 3 and 
4 inches. The motion is south, south-west, then west, and an 
the retiring sun declines and finally disappears, north, north- 
east, and east, returning to its original position. 



The canopy over the Eye of the Dome is a vast sounding- 
board. A whisper can be distinctly heard across it. Two 
persons, occupying places immediately opposite each other in 
the circular gallery underneath it, may carry on a whispered 
conversation, while those half-distant between them would be 
unable to distinguish a word of what was said. 



The cost of lighting the Capitol at night, when the Hall of 
Kepresentatives and Senate Chamber, with the Rotunda and 
Dome, etc., are lighted, is from $55 to $60 per hour. 

Such an occasion, however, is not frequent, as they are lighted 
only when night sessions of Congress occur, or when, because 
of some unusual circumstance, an illumination is ordered. 
When either House has a night session, the Rotunda, Dome, 
and Tholus are lighted. 

The gas consumed is not manufactured by Grovernment, but 
is supplied by the Washington Gaslight Company 

220 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 
DIMENSIONS AND COST OF CAPITOL, ETC. 

The United States Capitol covers an area of 153,112 square 
feet, or more than thuee-and-a-half acres. Its lenc^th is 751 
feet -1 inches. The hall running through it north and south, 
on the basement floor, is the longest hall in the world. The 
extreme width of the Capitol is 324 feet. 

The dimensions of the central portion, or what was the ori- 
ginal Capitol, were as follows: 

Covering 1^ acres, and 1,820 feet. 

Length of front ^ 352 feet 4 inches. 

Depth of wings 121 " 6 " 

East projection and steps 65 " 

West projection and steps 83 '" 

Height of wings to top of balustrade 70 " 

Height to top of centre Dome, (the old Dome, since removed)... 145 " 

The cost of the original Capitol was as follows : 

The North wing of the original Capitol was commenced in 1793, and finished, 
for occupation, in 1800. It cost (including all alterations to 
1814) $480,262 57 

Th'e South wing, commenced in 1803, and finished 1808. cost 308,808 41 

The Centre building, (Rotunda and old Dome,) commenced in 1818 
and finished in 1827, cost.. 957,647 .35 

The rebuilding of the wings of the Capitol destroyed by the Brit- 
ish in 1814, considered linished in 1827, cost, including altera- 
tions, etc., to 1830 ". 687,126 00 

$2,433,844 33 
The ground within the iron railing contained 22J acres. 

In 1850 it was determined to add to the Capitol two build- 
ings, to be called "Extensions," (in contradistinction to the 
existing "wings,") one north and tlie other south, to be con- 
nected with the wings by corridors 44 feet in length. 

The corner-stone of this addition was laid by President Fill- 
more, July 4, 1851. 

These Extensions are each 142 feet 8 inches front on the 
east, by 238 feet 10 inches in depth, exclusive of Porticoes and 
steps. 

221 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

The cost of Capitol Extension to last payment, on completion, was. .^7, 658, 021 74 

The cost of building of new Doa;e to 1869 was about 1,000,000 00 

The cost of erection of the new iron Halls for the Library of Con- 
gress, since the fire of December, 1851, was 280,500 00 

$8,939,121 74 

Many works of art in the Capitol were paid for, on the pay- 
roll, to artists employed on salary, during the early period of its 
erection. It is impossible, therefore, to state with precision the 
separate cost of each of these several ornaments. An approx- 
imation can only be inferred. This has been stated, in each 
case, in the previous text, where these works are described. 
IMieir number and amount, including those whose cost we 
know, would probably be more than covered by the sum ot 
$260,000. This remark only applies to works of art paid for 
j)revious to January, 1855. 

In reply to a request contained in a -resolution of the House 
of Representatives, adopted Feb. 2, 1869, asking the Secretary 
of the Interior to furnish a statement of the various amounts 
paid since Jan. 1, 1855, for works of art to decorate the Capi- 
io], that officer transmitted to the House a letter from the Archi- 
tect of the Capitol Extension, Mr. Edward Clark, giving the 
following information : 

Statement of amonnis paid, and to whom, out of funds appropriated for the Capitol 
extension, for works of art to decorate the Capitol, viz : 

Amount paid to Thomas Crawford, (American,) for models for pedi- 
ment of north wing, and the models of Justice and History over 
the doorway of main entrance to north Aving 820,000 00 

Amount paid to Thomas Gagliardi, (Italian,) for cutting, in marble, 

wheat sheaf, anchor, group of instruction and youths 5,500 00 

Amount paid to Gagliardi and Casoni, (Italians,) for cutting, in mar- 
ble, figure of America, and Indian family 7,000 00 

Paid to G. Casprero, (Italian,) for cutting, in marble, Indian grave.. 400 00 

Amount paid to G. Butti, (Italian,) for cutting, in marble, the fol- 
lowing figures, viz : 

Soldier., 1,600 00 

Commerce - 2,200 00 

Woodman 2,550 00 

222 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

Indian Chief. S3,000 00 

Hunter 2,000 00 

Amount paid to D. Giampaoli, (Italian,) for cutting, m marble, fig- 
ure of Meclianic 1,900 00 

The marble for the above statuary is from the quarries at Lee, Massachusetts, 
and was taken, I believe, from the blocks furnished for other portions of the 
wings, and for which no separate account appears. 

Amount paid to Thomas Crawford, for statues of Justice and Histo- 
ry, over principal doorway north wing §3,000 00 

Paid to G. Butti, for pedestal for niche in Senate retiring room 400 00 

Paid to G. Butti, for modelling mask of Justice for door of House of 

Representatives 80 00 

Paid to G. Butti, for modelling eagle for clock 80 00 

Paid Thomas Crawford, for models of bronze door for main entrance 

to north wing 6,000 00 

Amount to William H. Rinehart, for plaster model for bronze door 

designed by Thomas Crawford for main entrance to south wing.... 8,940 00 

Amount paid to Randolph Rogers, (American,) for plaster model of 
bronze door in passage way leading from old to new Hall of Rep- 
resentatives 8,000 00 

Amount paid F. Von MuUer, (German,) for casting, in bronze, the 

door designed by Randolph Rogers * 17,000 00 

Amount paid to James T. Ames, (American,) for casting, in bronze, 
door designed by Thomas Crawford, for main entrance to north 
wing 50,495 11 

Amount paid to Archer, VV.arner, Miskey & Co., (Americans,) for 
bronze railings for stairways. Senate and House.. 22,498 12 

Amount paid Archer, Warner, Miskey & Co., for bronze eagle for 
clock in House of Representatives *. 150 00 

Amount paid to Cornelius & Baker, (Americans,) for bronze Corin- 
thian caps for columns and pilasters in main stairway ' 3,621 00 

Amount paid to Cornelius & Baker, for bronze arms to gallery seats. 

House of Representatives 2,5T5 00 

Amount paid to C. Bruraidi, (Italian,) for decorating, in fresco, va- 
rious committee and other rooms, from April "7, 1855, to December 
3, 1864, at $10 per diem 19,483 51 

Amount paid C. Brumidi, for designing and painting, in fresco, three 
panels and three corner groups of figures on ceiling of Senate post 
office, as per authority of the Secretary of the Interior, dated Au- 
gust 13, 1866 .'. 4,989 00 



* This amount wat paid in gold, and most of it during the war, when the premium on ex- 
change ruled enormously high. The cost, in currency, of the Rogers' Bronze Door, including 
the models, (but not the cost ot transportation and erection,; was over $."10,000. (See Federal 
City, p. 61.) 

223 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

Amount paid E. Leutze, (German,) for painting picture of Emigra- 
tion on wall of western stairway, House of Representatives $20,000 00 

Amouut paid James Walker, (American,) for picture of Storming of 
Chapultepec, now hanging in western stairway of north wing 6,137 37 

Amount paid, and to whom, out of funds appropriated for the con- 
struction of the new Dome, viz : 

Amount paid to Thomas Crawford, for modelling, in plaster, fig- 
ure of Freedom to surmount Dome 3,000 00 

Amount, paid to Clark Mills, (American,) for casting, in bronze, 
the figure of Freedom, to surmount the Dome 9,800 00 

Amount paid for labor, iron work, and copper, for statue of Free- 
dom* 10,996 82 

Amount paid to C. Brumidi, for painting, in fresco, picture on 
canopy of domef 39,500 00 

Other ornamental painting in halls of legislation, committee rooms, and pas* 
sages, and bronze works, such as ornaments for doors, and register fronts, &c., 
have been done by day workmen, the cost of which cannot be ascertained from 
the rolls. 

The above was ordered by the officers in charge of the construction of the wings 
and the new Dome, without any direct sanction of Congress. 

Congress, by an act approved August 18, 1856, appropriated $20,000 for 
works of art, &c., to ornament the Capitol, under the direction of the Joint Com- 
mittee on the Library, and by act of July 28, 1866, appropriated a further sum 
of $5,000, for a similar purpose, to be expended under ihe direction of the same 
conimitiee. 

From the amount thus appropriated the following sums have been paid, viz : 

Amount paid totl. D. Saunders, (Pole, )t for bust of Kosciuszko $500 

Amount paid to Horatio Stone, (American,) for statue of Hancock. 5,500 
Amount paid to Jilrs. S. F. Ames, (American,) for bust of President 

Lincoln 1,500 

Amount paid to Miss C. L. Ransom, (American,) for portrait of Hon. 

J. R. Giddiugs 1,000 

Amount paid to Horatio Stone, for statue of Hamilton 10,000 

Amount paid to Mrs. S. F. Ames, for additional compensation for 

bust of President Lincoln, as per act approved July 28, 1868 500 

* See also page 193. 

t This fresco is not yet finished. The artist intends to soften down the harshness at the 
joinings of the plastering, and holds himself in readiness to do the proper toning and blend- 
ing whenever the scaffolding is in place for the purpose. Of the $40,000 appropriated for the 
picture ,$500 have been retained until this is accomplished. 

t See also page 212. 

224 



\ 



THE FEDSRAL CITY. 



By an act approved March 3, 1855, $25,000 were appropriated to enable the 
President to contract with Hiram Powers for some work of art to decorate the 
Capitol, out of which the following sums have been paid, viz : 

Paid to Hiram Powers, (American,) for statue of Jefferson $10,000 

Paid to same, for statue of FranRlin 10,000 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant. 

EDW'D CLARK, Architect. 
Aechitect's Office, United States Capitol Extension, 

Washington, D. C, February, 18Gi). 

These sums, as reported by Mr. Clark, amount to $321,895 93. 

It is reasonable to infer that other works of art ordered, 
or which of necessity must be ordered, to carry out plans al- 
ready determined upon, may again equal this sum, as, for in- 
stance, the sculpture for the House Extension Portico, and the 
casting of the Rinehart door ; the picture, or alto relievo, to 
ornament the belt between the second and third cornices of the 
Rotunda; the paintings contracted for, by Powell, by Bramidi, 
etc., to embellish other portions of the Capitol; the statue of 
Lincoln, by Vinnie Ream, etc., etc. Admitting this as correct, 
it would make the whole cost of the Capitol, as now determined 
upon, amount to $12,276,757 93, a sum equal to about 8 days' 
cost of the late civil war, during the period of its heaviest 
expenditure.'^ 



*The question is frequently asked of the relative size of St. Peter's, at Rome, and of St. 
Paul's, at London, compared with the Capitol. An answer to this is contained in the fol- 
lowing : 

"The length of the interior of St. Peter's at Rome, within the wall'', is 602 feet; length 
of transept, 4-15 feet. The diameter of the cupola is 193 feet. The top of the cross is 430 
feet above the pavement. 

" t^t. Paul's, at London, is TjOO feet in length, from east to west, the transept being OS.t feet. 
The height to the summit of the cross is generally stated to be 404 feet, but some authorities 
reduce it to 365 feet from the ground."— XnigA<'« Cyclopedia. 

St. Peter's was three-anda half centuries in building. It was founded by Nicholas IV, in 
1450. The dedication of the Basilica, by Urban VIII, took place in 1626; other portions 
were successively added, until Pius VI, in 1780, erected the Sacristy, when the edilice was 
considered completed. At the close of the seventeenth century, the cost was estimated by 
Carlo Fontano at 46,«00,4y8 gcudi, (10,000,000/.,) exclusive of the Sacristy, (900,000 »cudi,) 
Bell Towers, models, mosaics, etc. 

St. Paul's was commenced in 1675, and completed in 1710— thirty-five vears. The total 
original cost was 747,954/. '2j. 9</. 

225 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

There was a sum of money paid, in 1862, to Art Com- 
mission, for thirteen months' services, of $9,000, which does 
not appear in Mr. Clark's letter, as it did not strictly come un- 
der the head of statements asked for -by House resolution. 

An amount also of $1,284 04 was paid, in 1868, to Brevet 
Brigadier General Eastman, for services connected with art 
decoration. The item is thus inserted in Mr. Clark's annual 
report : " Amount paid to Brevet Brigadier General Eastman, 
for commutation,- fuel, and quarters, while on duty painting 
Committee room of Indian Affairs, House of Representatives, 
$1,284 04." This ornamentation consists of oil paintings, hung 
in frames illustrative of Indian life. 



List of the pictures, plaster models, and marbles, in the United States Capitol, con.' 
tracted and paid for previous to January, 1855, with their cost, or approximati 
cost, the date of their execution, and the names of the artists employed, etc.: 

PICTURES. 

The Declaration of Independence, Surrender of General Burgojne, 
Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, and Washington resigning his Com- 
mission. The four by Col. John Trumbull; ordered in 1816 and 
finished in 1824; cost $32,000^00 

Full-length portrait of La Fayette, by Ary ScheSfer, presented to Con- 
gress by the artist about 1824, '25. 

Portrait of Washington, by Rembrandt Peale ; formerly hung in Sen- 
ate chamber, now in Vice-President's room. Sum voted for it in 
1832 2,000 00 

Full-length portrait of Washington, by John Vanderlyn, after Stu- 
art's Washington, ordered in 1832, cost 2,500 00 

Baptism of Pocahontas, by John Gadsby Chapman, painted in 1842, 
cost 10,000 00 

Embarkation of the Pilgrims at Delft-Haven, by Robert Walter Weir, 
painted in 1843, cost 10,000 00 

Landing of Columbus, by John Vanderlyn, painted in 1846, cost* 12,000 OC 

• The cost of this picture is usually supposed to have been $10,000, but Bishop Kip, of t'ali 
foriiia, who was well acquainted with the artist, says, in his " Recollections of John Vander 
lyn," he was paid $13,000 for it, and also $0,500 for his portrait of Washington. 

226 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

I'raigration of Daniel Boone to Kentucky, conlractcd for by Henry 
Inm^m ; sketch only executed— no ijicture. He received G, 000 00 

Discovery of the Mississippi by De Soto, painted by \Vm. II. Powell, 
in 1853, cost* 15,000 00 

PLASTER iMODELS AND MARHLES. 

Allegorical group, in plister, in Law Library, (formerly Supreme 
Court room, J Justice and Fame, etc. Artist, C. Franzoni; date, 
1817. 

Marble Clock in Old Hall, Genius of History recording events, by C. 
Frauzoni; date, 1819. (There appears to be no record of the cost 
of either of these works of art.)t 

Alto relievos in the Rotunda, by Capellano, Causici, and Gevelot, date 
1823 and 1827, cost, as stated by Mr. F. C. Adams| 14,000 00 

Basso relievos in the Rotunda, of Arabe.«que pattern, containing por- 
traits of Columbus, Cabot, Raleigh, and La Salle. Probably by 
same artists as above, about same date, and cost 9,500 00 

Figures of Liberty and Eagle, in plaster, in Old Hall of Representa- 
tives, by Causici, and Eagle on the wing, by Valaperti, in stone, on 
entablature underneath, 1829, cost 1,850 00 

Basso relievo. Fame and Peace crowning with a wreath of laurel the 
bust of Washington, over door of East Central Portico, date 1827. 
by Capellano ; cost not ascertained. Also basso relievos on either 
side of the above, acorns and other products. 

Alto relievo, design and model of figures on East Central Portico ;§ 

1830; cost 1,500 00 

The same, in stone, by Persico ; as also the 

Statues of Peace and War, designed by Persico, 1832, cost 24,000 00 

Fountain figure, by Hiram Powers, 1836, || cost 500 00 

Additional cast for same, cost 522 00 

(Neither of these at present, in 18G9, are displayed in or about the 
Capitol. ) 

*Mr. Powell himself told me he received §13,000 for this picture, s. d. w. 

t See " Federal City," page S6. 

X I am indebted to Mr. Adams for the knowledge of the cost of this, and of some other 
models and marble?, subsequently enumerated in this list. s. d. w. 

§ !?ee " Federal City," page 40. 

II At this period, I\Ir. Powers practised mainly the humbler branches of the profession. He 
was engaged, in Washington, in repairing plaster models, etc., and obiained an occasional 
fommis.-ion for a medallion likeness. 1 1 is to be regrettttd his lountain figure has been re- 
moved, as it would be interesting to compare this early attempt with his later statues of Jef- 
ferson and Kranklin. 

'227 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

Marble bust of Thomas Jefferson, bj- Guiseppe Ceracclii, finished prob- 
ably in 1793. This work was colossal in size, and belonged to Jef- 
ferson. It was purchased by him from the artist, who had wished 
him to accept it as a present. Ceracchi died on the guillotine, Feb.. 
1801, having been engaged in a plot against the life of Napoleon 
Buonaparte. The bust was, after Jefferson's death, obtained by 
Congress, placed in its Library, and destroyed there by the fire 
of 1851.* Amount appropriated for its purchase, in 1832 4.000 00 

Bust, in marble, of Chief Justice John Jay, of N. Y.; date, 1832 ; ar- 
tist, Frazee ; cost 400 00 

Bust, in marble, of Chief Justice John Marshall, of Va., 1836, cost 500 00 

Bustj in marble, of Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth, of Conn.; artist. 

Auger; 183'7 ; cost 400 00 

(These three busts are on brackets in Supreme Court room.) 
Colossal statue of Washington, by Horatio Greenough ; 1840; cost, 

including expenses of tran.'sportation and removal 43,000 00 

Columbus, or The Discovery of America, group in marble, by Persico, 

1844, cost 24,000 00 

Civilization, or The Settlement of the Country, group in marble, by 

Horatio Greenough, 1851, cost 24,000 00 

.(These last two groups ornament the steps of theEast Central Portico.) 

In the Supreme Court room is a marble bust, on a bracket, of Chief Justice 
John Butledge, of S. C; artist, A. Gait; 1858. In the South Senate Corridor 
stands a marble bust of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, of Md., by Horatio Stone ; 
and in the same corridor, by the same artist, a marble bust of Thomas II. Benton, 
of Mo. Of the first the cost is not known, and it is believed of the other two 
that they are still the property of the artist. 

These various sum.s, presumed to be correctly ascertained, 
net the amount of $237,672. 



We now resume the consideration of the whole cost of the 
United States Capitol, 

* A number of valuable works of art, paintings, and sculptures were destroyed by this fire. 
See " History of the Library of Congress," pp. 244, 245, 246. 

228 



T H K F i: D E n A L CITY. 

The recapitulation is as follows: 

Cost of original Cupitol $"2,433,844 33 

Supposed cost of works of art paid for previous to 1855 260,000 00 

Cost of Capitol Extension 7,658,G'21 74 

" of new Dome 1,000,000 00 

" of Halls for Library of Congress 280,500 00 

" of works of art paid for sincel855, as stated in Report cited.. 321,895 93 
Probable cost of works of art already determined upon, as stated 

inthetext. 321,895 93 

.'5l2,27G,75t 93 

For the ground retained by Government i'or the public .use, 
ibr building, for squares, etc., the original proprietors received 
£25 per acre, a sum then equal to sixty-six and two-tliirds dol- 
lars. (There was nothing allowed for land used for the streetfi 
and alleys.) 



The contract for the building of the Extension of the United 
States Capitol was finally entered into, in 1852, with Messrs. 
Prevost, Winters & Co , and was completed in 1867. Mr. Pro- 
vost was the only member of the firm who lived to see the con- 
tract fulfilled. Mr. Richard Morgan, foreman, had, for many 
years, charge of the work, and succeeded Mr. Edward Meade 
in this duty. 

229 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 
PROPOSED CHANGES TO BE MADE IN THE CAPITOL. 

A number of changes have been proposed to be made in the 
centre building of the Capitol, and it is probable many, if not 
all of them, will be eventually adopted. 

One is, the removal of the wooden cupolas of the centre edi- 
fice and the reconstruction of its entire roof, with the removal 
of the immense stacks of chimneys which now disfigure the 
structure. The old chimneys need not be vacated, but their 
tops lowered. The present roof is largely of wooden construc- 
tion,* and should be made fire-proof like that of the newer por- 
tions of the edifice. 

Another is, the extension of the centre building, on the east, 
to the line of the new wings. This change, Mr. Walter, in his 
last Report, dated Nov. 1, 186-i, pronounces "an architectural 
necessity,"'^" and Mr. Clark, his successor, in his Report of Nov. 
1, 1865, sa^'s, sjjeaking of this plan, that it "is imperatively 
demanded, in order to give prominence to the Central Portico, 
which should be the superior one of the three; whereas, at 
present, owing to its receding, and the encroachment of the 
Dome upon it, it appears to be the inlerior. Besides, the lower 
member of the Dome overhangs the eastern wall of the build- 
ing, giving the Dome from some points of view an appearance 
of insecurity." An increase of room, greatly needed, will also 
be a result of this suggestion. 

It is the intention, in the event of the Completion of the 
changes above proposed, to face the whole exterior of the ori- 
ginal Capitol witli marble of the same kind as that used in 
building the Extensions. If this is accomplislied, the general 
beauty of the building will be vastly enhanced. 

In the interior of t\v.' Rotunda, al^o, it is intended to make 
decided changes. It is proposed that the four existing doors, 
with the alto relievos above them, be removed, and other doors, 



• Mr. Walter prepared plans for thus completing the building, in hnrmony with what had 
already been done, which were placed in the Capiiol for future reference. 

230 



THE FEDERAL CITY. 

of larger size and fur more elegant structure, be substituted : that 
tlie 12 pilasters now surrounding tLe chamber, and the eight 
basso relievos, with the lower cornice, be taken away ; tlie e^ht 
great national pictures be elevated each four feet higher from 
the floor;* the new wall to be handsomely frescoed, and round 
the apartment, a suitable distance above the national pictures, 
is to be painted, after the idea of the Doge's Palace in Venice, 
portraits of the Presidents of the United States. 

Many years, probably, will transpire before these improve- 
ments will be completed. f 



* It is hoped that if this change is made, the pictures will then be arranged in chrono- 
logical succession, s. D. w. 



Note. The Photographs illustrating this work were taken In- .Mr. G. W. 
Wakely, of Washington, D. C. 

The eight outUne drawings of the national pictures iti the Rotunda were en- 
graved, expressly for it, by Mr. II. II. NicnoLs, also of Washington, D. C. 

2S1 



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Opi.aiens of tfto Press. 
From the " WasUiugton Chronicle." 
" Wc liave from the publishers, 'The Federal City; or, Ins and Adouts of Wash- 
ington, BY S. D. Wyeth,' and very cheerf'.Uy do we say of this brochure, that it is the 
very best we have ever read of the kind. If the wretched catch-penny publications about 
Washington and the Federal Capital could be collected and committed to the flames, it 
would be a public service; especially now, when the District of Columbia has entered 
upon a new career, and when everything written or done about it should be carefully 
written and thoughtfully done. These pages are evidently the work of a scholar. There 
is no bombast, and no straining for fine writing; but evident industry and a desire to be 
accurate. The type, paper, printing, etc., are indicative of a determination to malce the 
work standard. We copy in our present issue, as a specimen of the descriptive powers 
of Mr. WvETH, his sketch of the United States Senate." 

From the "National Intollisoncor." 

" Wc have received the first number of 'The Federal Citv; or. Ins and Abouts 
OF Washington, by S. D. Wveth.' It is printed in large type, on fine paper, and 
liberally illustrated. 

"The author's style is clear and graceful, and he has given us, within a hundred pages, 
a vast amount of information — historical, statistical, and reflective — which will not 
only serve as an efficient guide for all visitors to the capital, but must be very valuable as 
a permanent work, for reference, for all time to come. The illustrations are beautifully 
executed, and a true taste is exhibited in making the three principal embellishments fine 
photographic views. 

" Wc have read this boo.k witli care, and are, therefore, prepared to pronounce it not 
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circulation; for, as it is recorded in the opening lines: 'The city of Washington is far 
dearer to the nation's heart now than it was before the breaking out of the rebellion. 
The treasure e>;pended, and the blood spilled in its defence, have made it seem, to 
patriots, sacred as a siirine. "To want t > l;now all about it" is a national longing, and 
to gratify this, in some degree, is the desi^.n of the present book.'" 
From the " Was'.iln^ton Evening Star." 

"'The Federal City; or, Ins .^nd Abouts of Washington, by S. D. Wyeth,' is 
published in admirable style by Gibson DROTHEr.s. It is both readable and useful, con- 
taining a large ainount of new material agreeably presented." 

From the "National Kepublican." 

"Mr. Wyeth, in the 'Federal City,' ;_ives a description of everything of public 
interest in and about the city of Vv'ashington. The v.'ork will be an invaluable one botii 
at home and abroad." 

From the "Sunday-School Times." 

"The first instalment of 'The Federal City,' ioS handsomely printed 8vo pages, 
gives promise of a work of considerable interest. Mr. WYr.Tii informs us it is to con- 
sist of the following parts : i. The Book of the Capitol; 2. The White House and 
its Inmates; 3. Book of the Departments ; 4. Bool: of the Hospit:;ls ; 5. Institutions 
cf Benevolence, Learning, etc." 

From the "United States .-^ervico Maga^ino." 
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Guide Book wliere and how to go about ; and very pleasant to those who have been 
there, by means of it to recall the truly beautiful and magnificent things the city contains." 

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its original foundation down to the present time — describing its public buildings and public 
men, and giving a complete idea of what the city has been, and what it is. It is finely 
illustrated with photographs, engravings, maps, and diagrams. .Mr. Wyeth has sterling 
abilities for this task : among them are patient industry, tact in making investigation, 
and a clear, scholarly, and lively style of narration. His book will become the standard 
historical authority in relation to all matters connected with the National Capital." 



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